In Russia, presidential elections are held on March 15-17. Western publications expressed the opinion that the current head of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, will remain in power for years to come, and this is facilitated by the Kremlin’s policies and propaganda. What else did the world media write about the events in the aggressor country — read in the material Facts ICTV.
Western media about elections in the Russian Federation
- The Economist
The publication calls the presidential elections in Russia a sham. Journalists note that in fact this is a ritual of anointing Vladimir Putin as a tsar who should rule in the Russian Federation for another six years. This means that after two years of full-scale war in Ukraine, the Kremlin regime has still not failed, which should be a wake-up call for the West.
— Putin's ambitions pose a long-term threat that extends far beyond Ukraine. It could increase discord in Africa and the Middle East, paralyze the UN and place nuclear weapons in space, — states the publication, emphasizing that the West needs a longer strategy in confronting Russia.
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The Economist suggests that it is a “working assumption” that Putin will remain in power for years to come.
- The Guardian
One of the goals of the Kremlin dictator in these elections — “deprive the majority of Russians of the opportunity to imagine a future without him”. The Guardian writes that young Russians, often called Putin's generation, face another decade of increasingly authoritarian rule by the only president they have ever known.
— And the prospects for his next term, or even two terms until 2036, are clear: perpetual war, an increasingly militarized society and an economy dominated by … military spending, — says the Guardian article.
- BBC News Ukraine
The publication writes that “elections in Russia are rarely an event with unpredictable results, but they are important to legitimize those in power and show that people's opinions matter” .
— This time, for Putin, it is first of all important not only to win, but also to show a high turnout and a large share of support, because the country is drawn into a full-scale war, which will have lasting consequences both for Russia itself and for the whole world, — ; writes BBC News Ukraine.
It is noted that the authorities use various methods to increase turnout. Voters are traditionally promised prizes for participating, such as gift certificates to stores and restaurants. Russia is also trying to hold voting in the occupied territories, which is illegal.
- Reuters
In Russia, which is at war, there is only one real candidate and only one winner: Vladimir Putin, writes Reuters.< /p>
— The leaders of the fragmented Russian opposition are either abroad, or in prison, or silent, or dead. The most famous Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, died on February 16 in the Polar Wolf colony. His widow Yulia called on Russians to go to the polls at noon on March 17 to demonstrate their opposition, — says the publication.
- Business Insider
Business Insider writes that a simple victory was never enough for Putin — and the current presidential election is no different.
— Analysts say there is no doubt that 71-year-old Vladimir Putin will win, even as the war in Ukraine continues into its third year, — writes the publication.
- Bloomberg
The publication in the article calls Putin the second Stalin and also expresses confidence that the Kremlin dictator will once again “win”.
— The opposition is looking increasingly shallow this year. Unlike previous presidential elections, this time the Kremlin did not allow even a symbolically independent candidate, — writes Bloomberg.
The article notes that “the biggest headache for the Kremlin now is getting high turnout among apathetic Russians to make Putin's victory look stunning”.
- Sky News
The publication writes that opposition candidates were prohibited from running, they fled the country or are already dead — like, for example, Putin's most famous critic Alexei Navalny.
Also Sky News notes pressure on Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territories to vote in the Russian presidential elections.
Sky News also reports on the mood of the population in Russia, in particular, on the use of Molotov cocktails during protests at polling stations in the Russian Federation. At the same time, the publication publishes a photograph of people standing in line to vote in Moscow.
