Putin's party dominates Russia's farcical parliamentary elections.
United Russia, the political party allied with Russian President Vladimir Putin, won big in parliamentary elections Monday. However, election-monitors and Russian opposition parties say the election was rigged, and press reports are supporting their contentions. Prior to the election, United Russia’s supporters reportedly harassed members of opposition parties and numerous government employees claim to have been pressured to vote for United Russia. Moreover, in the months leading up to the election, Russian policymakers instituted a number of reforms designed to marginalize United Russia’s opposition. The most notable reform obliges political parties to receive 7 percent of the vote if they are to earn seats in Parliament, whereas in past elections, 5 percent was sufficient (consequently, fewer political parties will be represented in Parliament). Pre-election reforms and United Russia’s tactics of intimidation succeeded. United Russia received approximately 64 percent of the vote, entitling it to 315 of the 450 parliamentary seats; the second most popular party, the Communist Party, won 57 seats.
This farcical election was the antithesis of transparency and other discrepancies deserve mention. Andrei Lugovoi, the alleged assassin of Kremlin-critic Alexander Litvinenko, will represent the Liberal Democratic Party, which cleared the 7 percent hurdle. In the war-ravaged republic of Chechnya, United Russia claims to have received 99.4 percent of the vote and officials contend that 99.5 percent of Chechnyans participated in the election.
Of greater significance than the election itself, is Putin’s political future. He apparently plans to abide by the constitution, which allows the president only two consecutive terms and obligates Putin to resign in 2008, but many analysts expect him to retain authority one way or another. Putin’s approval of pre-election legislation favorable to United Russia is fueling speculation that the President may attempt to alter the constitution in order that he may run for a third term. United Russia controls enough seats to amend the constitution and Putin – having supported United Russia in Monday’s election – may expect United Russia to reciprocate by paving the way for his reelection.
Putin understands that when his term ends a power struggle may ensue among his subordinates. Various factions within United Russia may vie for power and Putin intends that his allies in the party will continue to control the Kremlin. Putin remains popular domestically and Russias are enjoying unprecedented prosperity; perhaps it is preferable that Putin retain power or that he selects a successor personally in order to prevent Russia from deteriorating into political chaos. Certainly, the European nations that depend on Russia’s abundant energy resources require that Russia remain politically stable. These dependant countries may not be crazy about Putin’s dictatorial tendencies, but everyone recognize the stabilizing effect he has had on Russian politics.
Putin's future in Russian politics remains subject to debate. He may be grooming a potential successor, but no consensus has emerged as to whom this inheritor may be. Some analysts suspect Putin may amend the constitution or even attempt to appoint himself Prime Minister after his presidency. Amid this speculation there is but one certainty: Putin will not easily be marginalized.
Sources:
'Russia's Election: How it was Rigged'. The Economist. December 3, 2007.
