Navalny Pushes Boycott, Organizes Vote Monitoring
In a blog post on February 13, opposition politician Aleksei Navalny again argued in favor of a boycott of the March 18 presidential election.
First, Navalny notes that none of the candidates is genuinely opposing Putin or campaigning actively to reduce his rating. "Name three campaign actions of any of the candidates that made an impression on you in recent weeks. Or if none made an impression, name some that you might have heard or read about. You won't remember anything because there hasn't been anything."
Navalny, who was barred from running, argues that turnout is the only aspect of the election that voters are in a position to influence. Putin is desperate to be able to declare that the "overwhelming majority of Russians have faith in elections and came out to vote."
The Kremlin is shooting for a turnout of 70 percent. In an effort to minimize falsification, Navalny is organizing a major monitoring mission. "We want you to stand together with us to catch these crooks red-handed," Navalny writes.
There's a 'Sick Putin' meme
Thermometer says, "Rybka, Vagner, Airplane"
Official slogan is "Strong President - Strong Russia!"
New slogan is "Sick President - Sick Russia!"
Schools, Kindergartens Holding National 'Draw Putin's Portrait' Competition
A Russia-wide contest to draw President Vladimir Putin is being held simultaneously with his reelection bid as a "private initiative" by something called the Resource Center of the Information Agency Infrastructure of Charity.
Under the competition, children aged 5 to 17 are invited to submit portraits of the president. The winning entries will be printed up in large format and presented to the presidential administration in May, on inauguration day (could be embarrassing if the winner is not Putin!).
Deadline for submissions is March 18, which is coincidentally election day.
Entry fee: 400 rubles ($7)
- By Carl Schreck
Russian Voting In Breakaway Georgian Regions Of Abkhazia, South Ossetia
Some news on Russian presidential election voting in the Moscow-backed breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Russia recognized as independent states following its brief 2008 war with Georgia.
Only a few other UN member states recognize the two regions as sovereign countries.
Masha Gessen portrait of Sobchak
Nothing new here, but an overview for English-speakers who are late to the Russian election party.
Here's a bite:
Ksenia Sobchak had a generally understanding attitude toward Putin. “I think he is a patriot,” she said. “I think he sees himself as holding Russia together through superhuman effort—and yet not letting it slide into some sort of a military-junta situation.”
'Real Man' Running
On The Interpreter, the website of Australia's Lowy Institute Think Tank, American Foreign Policy Council senior fellow Stephen Blank slams the election as a "sham and a travesty." He argues that since Putin is unable to transform Russia's economy without hurting his own position, the Kremlin leader plays "the role of exponent and embodiment of traditional masculine and Russian values."
Says Blank:
Such farcical stunts as having a 65-year-old Putin play ice hockey and do well against professionals, or be seen taking a public plunge into freezing waters as he carries out an Orthodox rite of Epiphany, are public relations gambits designed to reassure the older, less urban, less educated, and certainly less sophisticated sections of the electorate that their ruler not only remains a vigorous “real man” but also a representative of classic Russian and Christian values.
Channel One plans to air The Putin Interviews between February 12 and 15, by the way.
- By Mike Eckel
Russian Polling Station Posters
Election officials have unveiled the official posters that will be displayed at Russian voting sites around the country next month, showing photographs and short biographies of all eight candidates.
Yabloko Alleges Airing Of Oliver Stone's Putin Interview Is Unfair
Channel One is planning to show the Oliver Stone interview with Putin this week.
Yabloko says it has appealed to the Election Commission asking it to prevent the showing of the film.