Russia's Duma
Opinion

Putin’s Russia – can hitting rock bottom destroy the system?

The election of the Russian Duma was a paradox. On the one hand, fourteen parties were on the list; only seven parties were permitted to run five years ago. Ela Pamfilova, considered to be a liberal, has replaced an old associate of Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Churov as the Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission and PARNAS (People’s Freedom Party). Other opposition parties’ representatives have openly criticized the President live, on national television. […]

March in Moscow
Uncategorized

Putin’s Russia. The situation is gradually changing

The Russian parliamentary (Duma) elections on September 18 do not promise any major changes. Opinion polls and the general atmosphere show that the country will continue to be led by the United Russia party which is affiliated with Vladimir Putin, while establishment opposition parties will support stability. Regardless, these elections will be significant in understanding the future of the long term, but little understood system of Vladimir Putin’s that has been in place for sixteen years. There are indicators suggesting that the role of the real opposition, despite its fragmentation, is gradually changing. Considering the delicate socioeconomic situation of the country and the presidential elections which are two years away, this makes for certain indications for the future. Thus what role does the opposition perform in the contemporary Russia? […]