On Monday, the election commission announced that President Vladimir Putin has won a fifth term by a large margin. This victory came after a significant crackdown on opposition and free speech, reminiscent of Soviet-era repressions.
Putin, facing minimal competition and having suppressed dissenting voices, is poised to continue his rule, which has spanned nearly a quarter of a century, for another six years. Despite the suppression, a notable number of Russians gathered at polling stations on Sunday, the election’s final day, responding to an opposition plea to show their discontent with the president.
Putin has been at the helm of Russia, either as president or prime minister, since December 1999. His leadership has been characterized by aggressive international policies and a diminishing tolerance for opposition.
Early on Monday, Putin interpreted the preliminary election results as a sign of the public’s trust and hope in his leadership. However, critics argue that the election’s outcome was expected due to its orchestrated nature.
Putin, in a meeting with his campaign team, emphasized resilience in the face of attempts to intimidate or undermine the Russian spirit. He assured that such efforts have always failed and will continue to do so.
The government has effectively silenced any criticism of Putin or his military actions in Ukraine. Independent media outlets have been severely restricted. Alexei Navalny, Putin’s most formidable political adversary, passed away in an Arctic prison last month, leaving other critics either imprisoned or in exile.
With almost no alternative choices for voters and limited independent election monitoring, the Central Election Commission reported that Putin received 87.29% of the vote, securing his highest vote count ever.
Leaders from countries like North Korea, Bolivia, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, along with heads of former Soviet states, were quick to congratulate Putin. In contrast, Western nations dismissed the election as fraudulent.
In a tightly controlled environment, Navalny’s supporters encouraged those dissatisfied with Putin or the war to vote at noon on Sunday. This call seemed to increase the number of people at polling stations, including at Russian embassies worldwide.
Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s widow, participated in the voting at the Russian Embassy in Berlin, where she spent over five hours in line. She expressed her disdain for Putin, labeling him a murderer and a criminal.
Despite the apparent protest, Putin downplayed its impact. He acknowledged the call to vote but interpreted it as a positive action.
For the first time, Putin mentioned Navalny by name in a press conference, revealing a willingness to exchange him for unnamed Western prisoners shortly before Navalny’s death. Putin dismissed Western criticism of the election and accused the U.S. of using its judiciary for political purposes, which he deemed a mockery of democracy.
Some Russians expressed their hope for change, albeit with skepticism, while supporters of Navalny visited his grave, some marking their ballots with his name or messages against Putin.
Despite the controlled narrative and risks associated with dissent, some Russians openly supported Putin, aligning with the state media’s portrayal of him.
The election spanned three days, with voting available in Russia, annexed Ukrainian territories, and online. Several arrests were made for attempts to disrupt the voting process.
Large queues formed outside Russian diplomatic missions in cities with significant Russian populations, demonstrating the diaspora’s desire to protest.
This election has once again highlighted the complexities of Russia’s political landscape, the challenges faced by the opposition, and the international community’s divided response to Putin’s continued dominance.