The overwhelming majority of Russian voters will vote in favour of Vladimir Putin. Is the Kremlin’s propaganda responsible? Learn what voters must say.
It’s at all times tough for Russian voters to precise their opinion publicly, for worry of punishment for talking their thoughts.Â
However a Czech TV station requested Russians to offer their opinion on the presidential election, anticipated to finish this Sunday, with a triumphant re-election for President Vladimir Putin.
Younger individuals interviewed are sometimes fairly complimentary concerning the head of the Kremlin. Listed below are two examples:
Pavel Kipriyanov, freelance actor: “If we discuss typically concerning the path chosen by my nation and my authorities, properly, I perceive it completely, I settle for it, aside from sure issues that will not swimsuit me. However typically talking, I am pleased with the course my nation is taking and I feel it is nice.”
Milena Shikina, scholar, spouse of Pavel: “Properly, it appears to me that it has been for the reason that collapse of the Soviet Union within the 90s, when the nation wasn’t in one of the best of form and was in pretty critical decline. After which Putin got here alongside and the way in which our nation lives right this moment. I feel it is a good consequence.”
Many elements can clarify this behaviour, says Russian sociologist Lev Gudkov. However on the subject of younger individuals, Gudkov believes “they’ve misplaced their understanding of the Soviet period. They don’t have any expertise of it and don’t have anything to match it with. They’ve been introduced up, you may say, underneath Putin, they usually know nothing else.”
It is not so simple as a generational hole. Of the hundreds of voters who’ve determined to depart Russia during the last two years, many have been younger males, decided to flee the regime and conscription to combat in Ukraine. However, proportionally, many have been unable to depart, whereas others selected to not depart their homeland. So why vote for Vladimir Putin in the end?
Milena’s father, for his half, is an outspoken opponent of the Moscow regime. However Artur Shikin, a constructing contractor, needed to flee Russia and take refuge in Georgia. His opinion is clear-cut. “There are 150 million individuals, cannot they oppose it? It is like with Stalin: individuals mentioned that Stalin was answerable for all the things. However on the identical time, one third of the inhabitants imprisoned one other third of the inhabitants and stored them in prisons, all that was performed by individuals.”
As for older voters, Gudkov additionally has a proof. “Underneath Putin,” he explains, “the thought of the longer term has disappeared. Folks don’t have any picture of the longer term and, consequently, there aren’t any tips for growth. That is what propoganda is saying: protect the current”.
One factor is nearly sure: latest surveys have proven that almost all of Russian residents are loyal to Putin, with help at round 70% in contrast with 20% for the opposition – though these figures are onerous to confirm.Â
Two-thirds of this identical inhabitants wholeheartedly settle for the knowledge put out by state tv and the pro-Kremlin media. However is it out of conviction or abnegation?
