The Guardian view on Russian parliamentary elections: glimpses of weakness behind the facade
The Kremlin’s clumsy efforts to engineer the outcome reveal growing anxiety about the public mood and a war that is failing
TL;DR
- Putin's rule is maintained through "managed democracy," which involves fraud and repression disguised as elections.
- The upcoming Duma elections are expected to be won by United Russia, but overt fraud carries risks for the regime's legitimacy.
- The supreme court's decision to block the liberal Yabloko party from the ballot papers suggests Kremlin nervousness.
- Yabloko's opposition to the war in Ukraine and its call for peace may reflect a broader public sentiment the regime fears.
- The war in Ukraine, its prolonged nature, casualties, and economic impact are increasingly difficult for the Kremlin to conceal.
- The Kremlin's efforts to engineer electoral results demonstrate a concern for the appearance of popular support, even if genuine support is lacking.