Russia ** Putin
In the exhibition hall opposite the Kremlin, Putin walked onto the stage with a steady pace. The people in the audience stood up one after another, and the warm applause rang out like thunder.
The scene was like a grand show, with celebrities from all walks of life appearing one after another, expressing their support for Putin's candidacy in the ** election in March, striving for his fifth term. Everyone seemed very happy.
Film director Andriy Koncharovsky rejoiced: "Putin is an extraordinary leader, the most courageous and intelligent man. National singer Nadezhda Babukina also said: "The Russian people have never been so united in their support." Anyone who tries to stop this will fail. ”
It seems to be part of Putin's Premier League, but beware, it's just a league that he created and controls himself. Russia's political system is almost equivalent to Putin's personal system, and his rules of the game are, in fact, his election rules.
Putin's sharpest critics have long been "demoted" and are either in exile or in prison.
So, for this election, it's easy to get the best results. But things aren't always that simple.
30 years ago, I still remember the election night program that was first broadcast on Moscow** Russian TV, it was a parliamentary election, and no one knew who would win in the end.
I'll never forget that they brought in astrologers to do politics. In fact, it was quite appropriate at that time, because 30 years ago, the eyes of Russians were full of visions of democracy, freedom and the future of the country. But for today's Russian elections, you don't need an astrologer or a crystal ball. I can tell you right now the result of 2024***: Putin will win a big victory.
Why are you so confident?
Although Putin's name may not be the only name on the ballot, challengers are unlikely to overcome him, including imprisoned opposition leader Navalny. Putin vs. Navalny? This is absolutely not allowed to happen in the Putin Premier League. And, of course, there is another Kremlin critic named Nadziddin who is vying to join the campaign. But unlike Navalny, Nadzdin has been cautious of Putin's criticism, and there are sources that he also has some connections within the government.
If he ends up running, it will be because the Kremlin believes it is in Putin's interest to have a critical challenger.
Secondly, in Russia ** firmly holds the TV station. Putin has been on television for an uncountable amount of time, and he has been praised for almost no negative comments: this is simply too convenient for those seeking re-election.
There is another reason why Putin's image is so dazzling.
We all support your decision to run because you have been in power for as long as I can remember. "At Putin's year-end press conference, a young Russian TV correspondent said.
I've seen a lot of Russians like this young man, who can't imagine that there are others in the Kremlin. It's not because they adore Putin, they just feel they have no choice.
I often hear people say, "Well, who else but Putin?" ”
This is what the Kremlin has carefully planned. Over the past nearly a quarter of a century, the authorities have eradicated politics.
All potential challengers on stage. In doing so, they ensured that "who else can do it?" There is no answer to this question.
In Rzhev, a city in southern Russia 225 kilometers from Moscow, I talk to people about their expectations for the elections, and many seem to want to see change – but not leaders.
A young man named Ilya said: "I hope things will get better because it is stagnant now. But if a newcomer is chosen, he may not be able to take on the heavy responsibility of **. An experienced man like Putin can enable the country to thrive even in the difficult situation it finds itself in. ”
And Lydia, a pensioner, said: "I have great hopes for the elections. I hope the war is over and the economy is improving. But I respect Putin. ”
I asked, "Is there no one else who can do his job?" ”
Lydia replied: "Not now, maybe Putin will find the right person later." But I think he'll be in power for a long time. ”
Putin is Russia** and commander-in-chief, and even as the country suffers heavy military losses in the war in Ukraine, it seems that the population has not been disillusioned with his expectations.
It was Putin's decision to launch a full-scale invasion, but some Russians see a responsibility to support their own leaders in times of war and do not question their motives or consequences. Others accept the official narrative that it is the West, not Russia, that is starting the war.
There is a lady in Rzhev who would like to see a change in the Kremlin. She is a former TV journalist and district councillor Dunzova who recently tried to run for **. She called for peace in Ukraine, the release of political prisoners, and the creation of a "humane" Russia.
The Electoral Commission of Russia rejected her nomination on the grounds that her documents were incorrect.
"I feel like the political system here treats me as some kind of alien species and doesn't know what to do with me," Dunzova said. Because I came out of nowhere, the political system didn't know who I was. So it decided to reject me, not to pose a danger. ”
Now she has formed a new political party. Isn't she afraid that the authorities will retaliate?
We didn't do anything illegal. We act in accordance with the law. As for whether I am afraid, fear cannot dominate me. I believe in everything I do. This belief takes a back seat to fear. ”
Returning to Putin's election campaign, I interviewed Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russia Today TV.
I asked, "Isn't there any danger in having a leader in power for a quarter of a century or more?" ”
She replied, "It's a mantra you've been promoting for years. A person who has been in power for a long time is not necessarily worse than changing leaders every four years. Cambodia's Pol Pot wiped out a third of the population in three years. ”
This seems to be somewhat reassuring.
Russia is imminent, and the thinking of "who else but Putin" is pervasive. The outcome of the election campaign seems foreordained, but whether the political map has a chance to usher in new contenders and become a more pluralistic political arena may be an unsolved mystery in Russia's political future.