Putin and Russian Authoritarianism

President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia Party won Russi’s latest Parliamentary election, opening the door for his continued influence and abuse of power.

As you may have heard by now, President Vladimir Putin and his United Russia party swept to victory in Sunday’s Russian Parliamentary election. The other parties never had a chance. United Russia won approximately 64% of the vote, while their closed rival, the Communist Party, received approximately 11%.

Putin claims this election proves he has the mandate of the people. Of course he does - but only after Russian citizens were threatened and coerced to vote for United Russia.

One of the most interesting things Putin said was that Russia will never “... go back to an epoch of humiliation, dependence and disintegration ...” it endured under those who once governed the country. On the surface, that sounds great, however in the past year, Putin has placed Russia on a collision course with a thoroughly authoritarian government. Evidence can be found from his changing Russian election laws to favor United Russia and the September 2007 dissolution of the government.

Putin seems to be setting up the government in such a way that he can continue to exert influence and power from the position of Prime Minister. Most likely, the next Russian President will be Putin’s puppet, This hand-picked person will probably do nothing more than keep the seat warm until Putin can again run for the office in 2012.

What do you think of Putin’s recent actions?

Reference

“Russia: Putin Says Country Risks Disintegration Without Him.” AGI News. December 5, 2007. http://www.agi.it/world/news/200711291207-pol-ren0027-art.html