Nemtsov picture at a missive protest in the streets of Moscow
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Apathy of Russian society: can the youth change it?

The results of the elections to the Russian Duma, which took place on 18th September, showed that voters have an apathetic attitude towards the situation in the country, and do not cultivate any warm feelings for the ruling United Russia Party. President Vladimir Putin‘s party secured a win, yet voter activity reached a record low especially in the capital Moscow, where voter turnout was less than 35% (actually believed to be even lower). The elections unfortunately indicate something else – that the opposition has completely lost its connection with wider society. Not one credible critic of the Kremlin made it into the Duma. Neither representatives of the opposition nor civil society activists have hitherto managed to unite and mobilise the disillusioned against the kleptocracy. […]

March in Moscow
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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? […]

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vilnius
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More than half of Russian voters in Lithuania back United Russia in Duma elections

More than half of Russian citizens who cast their votes in Lithuania in Sunday’s State Duma elections supported the ruling United Russia party, based on preliminary results. […]