in Russia, opponents of Vladimir Putin do not know who to vote for

The 118 million Russians are called to go to the polls from Friday to Sunday to elect or re-elect their president. But Vladimir Putin really has no competitors.

The scenario for the Russian presidential election seems already written. There are only four candidates and Vladimir Putin’s three competitors, Leonid Sloutsky of the ultranationalist LDPR party, Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party and Vladislav Davankov of the New People party, pro business and the most moderate fringe of the regime, have not opponents in name only. The real opponents of Vladimir Putin are therefore without a candidate and are wondering: to vote or not?

Russian power has often eliminated its most dangerous opponents before the election even begins. Alexeï Navalny paid the price in 2018. But until then, the Kremlin always authorized a candidate displaying liberal values ​​to run, even if it meant pulling the strings behind the scenes. This year, anti-war Boris Nadiejdine seemed to be that candidate, until his disqualification by the electoral commission last February.

This maneuver, the imprisonment of many opponents, definitely disgusted Anton, who decided that he would not vote this year: “I will not vote in these elections. In previous years, I participated with perseverance, because it is a civic duty. But in this case, it is not an election, but an acclamation. Therefore , I will not participate in person or electronically and I will certainly not vote remotely.”

“Overall, it all looks like a circus show. And if you want to go to the circus, there is a good circus in Moscow.”

Anton, Russian abstainer

at franceinfo

Vote invalid by registering an anti-Putin slogan

Victoria had brought her signature to Boris Nadiejdine. She also hesitated for a long time, but ultimately she voted invalid by writing an anti-war slogan on her ballot. This way, the electoral commission will know that Vladimir Putin has opponents, she says disappointedly. “Of course I remain realistic, I know that if I write ‘Putin assassin’ on my ballot, Putin will not give up power tomorrow. But I prefer to do something, to be active, Victoria explains. And it seems to me that the current situation in Russia is partly the result of the fact that many people did not vote in previous years, or did not consider it important.”

For other opposition voters, the safe haven vote will be for Vladislav Davankov, the most moderate of Vladimir Putin’s three competitors. Official polls promise him 5 to 6% of the vote.