Election Tracker

Russia

Abstract: At Stake: President

At Stake: President

Background

Vladimir Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik party, a political movement that brought an end to Czarist domination in Russia. Lenin became the first premier of the Soviet Union in 1917. Five years later, Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy, which put an end to government rationing of food and introduced private ownership to certain areas of the Soviet economy. Lenin died in 1924, and was replaced by Josef Stalin.

Stalin was responsible for a series of repressive campaigns—known as the Great Purge—during the 1930s. During his tenure, Stalin eliminated all possible political opposition through executions and internal exile.

Following the victory of the allies in World War II, the Soviet Union was established as one of the world's superpowers. Stalin remained in control of the government and the Communist Party until his death in 1953. His successor, Nikita Khrushchev, officially denounced Stalin's personality cult and repression in 1956.

Leonid Brezhnev was the de-facto leader of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982. Brezhnev declared that the Soviet Union had the right to become involved in the internal affairs of other Eastern bloc nations to "safeguard socialism." In 1979, Brezhnev ordered a military invasion of Afghanistan.

In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Communist Party. He envisioned the policies of "perestroika" (restructuring)—a series of economic reforms to improve worker productivity and living standards—and "glasnost" (openness) which introduced greater personal freedoms and sought to foster debate.

On Aug. 19, 1991, the State Emergency Committee launched a coup against Gorbachev in an attempt to keep the Soviet leader from signing a new treaty that would have provided a large degree of independence to the Soviet Union's republics. The coup attempt severely hampered Gorbachev's authority. The Russian Federation was formed in December 1991, after public support shifted to Russian nationalist Boris Yeltsin.

Yeltsin—who had become president of Russia in June 1991—acted as the Russian Federation's head of state until December 1999.

On Sept. 21, 1993, Yeltsin suspended the State Duma and called for new elections. On Oct. 4, after a bloody battle between Yeltsin supporters and opposition groups, troops recaptured the parliament building where dissidents were trying to boycott new elections.

A new constitution establishing a mixed presidential-parliamentary system similar to that of France was approved by voters in 1993.

In the December 1995 legislative elections, the Communist Party (KPRF) won the largest share of the vote and more than a third of the seats in the State Duma. Yeltsin still managed to win the 1996 presidential election, defeating Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov.

In 1998, the Russian government devalued the rouble and declared a moratorium on debt payments, causing a severe financial crisis. During his tenure, Yeltsin fired his entire cabinet on four occasions, and survived two impeachment drives.

Yelstin retired abruptly on Dec. 31, 1999, saying he had decided that "Russia must enter the new millennium with new politicians." His prime minister, Vladimir Putin, replaced him as acting president.

Putin broke a deal with the Communists in the Duma, managing to control 40 per cent of the legislature. In 2000, Putin won the presidential election. Mikhail Kasyanov was appointed prime minister, and a broad plan for liberal economic reforms was enacted. In 2002, Putin's Unity Bloc ended its agreement with the Communists, since they now had full control of the legislative branch.

Putin was a supporter of the U.S.-led war on terrorism. In 2001, Russia began to explore establishing closer ties with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which culminated in the establishment of a NATO-Russia Council in 2002, which allows Russia to participate in some NATO discussions.

In March 2003, Putin branded the U.S.-led coalition effort in Iraq as a "great political error" and ruled out the participation of Russian troops in the intervention without the consent of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

In 2003, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine signed an agreement to create a common economic space. By the end of the year, Russia had experienced five years of steady economic growth, recovering from the collapse of the 1998 crisis.

On Dec. 7, 2003, Russian citizens renewed their State Duma. Final results indicate the populist and pro-Kremlin United Russia (YR)—a new name for the Inter-Regional Movement of the Russian Federation—37.6 per cent of the vote, and 222 members in the 450-seat legislative branch. The Communist Party (KPRF) was a distant second, with 12.6 per cent and 51 seats.

On Feb. 6, 2004 a bomb exploded inside the Moscow underground system during rush hour, killing at least 39 people and injuring 105 more. Putin blamed the blast on "Chechen terrorists," even mentioning fugitive leader Aslan Maskhadov as the likely culprit.

Later that month, Putin sacked Kasyanov. The announcement marked the first time a sitting president changed the head of government during his tenure. Deputy Viktor Khristenko took over on an interim basis.

On Mar. 1, Putin named Mikhail Fradkov as prime minister. The 53-year-old Fradkov had previously worked as minister of foreign economic relations and minister of trade.

Putin won the March 2004 presidential election with 71.31 per cent of all cast ballots, easily defeating five rivals.

Click here for 2004 Russia Election Tracker

Putin's relationship with the U.S. and other Western countries has been somewhat damaged in the last months of his tenure. In late December 2005 and early January 2006, Ukraine was involved in a dispute over gas imports from Russia. The state-run Russian company Gazprom supplies a quarter of Ukraine's gas.

In September 2006, Georgia arrested four Russian officials on charges of espionage. Russian defence minister Sergei Ivanov said Georgia was "a bandit state" and accused the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of arming the country to enact a "military solution" to its secessionist conflicts.

In late 2006, Russia announced it would double the price it charges Belarus for natural gas. When the administration of Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko imposed a "transit fee" on Russian crude bound for Europe, Russia opted to suspend all oil supplies to Belarus.

Russia's population is estimated at 143 million. One of the nation's most recurrent issues is the separatist cause of some rebel groups in Cenchnya. The self-declared independent republic has been the scenario of brutal guerrilla warfare, bombardments and several confrontations with the Russian army since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Attacks by separatist guerrillas include the seizure of a crowded Moscow theater in October 2002, and a school in Beslan, North Ossetia, in September 2004, where some 300 people, many of them children, were killed during a botched rescue operation.

2007 State Duma Election

In 2005, Russian president Vladimir Putin presented his plan to change the allocation of seats in the State Duma, electing all 450 lawmakers on party lists, allowing electronic votes, establishing a single election date for the entire country and raising state subsidies for parties represented in the lower house to $21.5 million U.S. The proposal also lifts the current threshold to earn seats in the lower house from five per cent to seven per cent.

In the 2003 election, only four political parties—United Russia (YR), the Communist Party (KPRF), the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) and the Motherland - National Patriotic Union (MDRT)—received more than seven per cent of the vote.

In March 2006, State Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov expressed satisfaction with the number of United Russia supporters, saying, "This morning the number of party members reached 999,546. Considering that over 500 membership cards have been created daily in the last few days, the millionth membership card will be issued today." Along with Gryzlov, the party's co-leaders are Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov, Tatarstan president Mintimer Shaimiyev, and emergencies minister Sergei Shoigu.

In late 2006, Russian Federation Council speaker Sergei Mironov founded A Just Russia, a coalition of three political organizations: Motherland, the Party of Life and the Russian Pensioners Party. Mironov said his political organization would define the "socialism of the 21st century" for Russia, taking away from the Communist Party (KPRF) the "monopoly" of socialist-leaning ideas.

In January 2007, KPRF leader Gennady Zyuganov expressed hope for an eventual reunification of the former Soviet republics, declaring, "We believe that the restoration of a broken union is our key goal, and we will continue our efforts to accomplish this task. Without a union between Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other brotherly republics that used to be members of the Soviet Union, we do not have a future."

A February poll by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center placed United Russia as the favourite in the State Duma election, with 47 per cent.

In late March, United Russia announced the party will hold primary elections in June-July ahead of the December ballot. The internal election will be a first for Russia's political system.

On Mar. 30, Mironov suggested a constitutional amendment to allow Putin to seek a third consecutive term. Zyuganov expressed dismay, saying, "Today the head of our state has more powers than a pharaoh and czar together once had, because it is the president who appoints everyone he needs and dismisses undesirable persons."

On Apr. 13, the Russian Supreme Court banned the Social Democratic Party of Russia (SDPRF), which was re-established in 2001 by former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev. The party's current leader, Vladimir Kishenin, said the Supreme Court's decision was "purely political", and announced an appeal, declaring, "I regret that the court has banned Russia's oldest party, which turned 109 earlier this year."

In April, the People's Party joined A Just Russia. The People's Party will change its name to People's Front of Fight Against Corruption.

In May, Yabloko leader Grigory Yavlinsky expressed dismay at the current state of Russia's broadcast media, saying, "We are very worried, unhappy about, and are protesting against lies on television; vulgarity on television; lack of professionalism on television; political censorship on television. We consider this to be very dangerous for the future of our country."

On May 28, the opposition group Other Russia—which has organized several public demonstrations all across the country—said it had applied for permission to stage marches in Moscow and St. Petersburg in order to call for free and open elections in December. A similar march was held in Moscow in April, and about 250 people were detained, including the leader of the United Civil Front, former world chess champion Garry Kasparov.

On May 30, LDP leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky revealed he intends to become a presidential candidate in 2008. Zhirinovsky said former Central Bank chairman Viktor Gerashchenko is "a bit too old" to be the best hope of the opposition, and claimed former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov is "a bit too weak."

On Jun. 11, the Other Russia coalition of Kremlin critics staged a major rally in Moscow. The crowd chanted: "We need another Russia!" and "Russia without Putin!" Kasparov referred to the presence of police and security forces in the rally, which was led peacefully, saying, "If they are so confident, why are they scared of a few thousand people in a totally peaceful event? The authorities are afraid of any organized protest."

On Jun. 4, the opposition Russian People's Democratic Union, which was founded by Kasyanov, officially chose him as its presidential candidate. Kasyanov accepted the nomination, saying, "You and I will cover this difficult path. (...) We know what needs to be done to lead the country out of this impasse of democratic development."

In 2007, two men were identified as the Kremlin's main contenders for the 2008 presidential election. Dmitry Medvedev has served as deputy prime minister since November 2005, and Sergei Ivanov was appointed to the same position—and relieved of his duties as defence minister—in February.

On Jun. 6, State Duma speaker Gryzlov reiterated that United Russia opposes the possibility of re-electing Putin again, declaring, "I have said more than once that the constitutional parliamentary majority represented by United Russia will stand guard to protect the Constitution."

During a Jun. 21 television appearance, Putin said Russia's history should not be judged for the crimes committed during the tenure of Josef Stalin because these are not comparable to events in other countries, adding, "Yes, we had terrible pages. Let us recall the events since 1937, let us not forget that. But in other countries, it has been said, it was more terrible. (...) No one must be allowed to impose the feeling of guilt on us. Let them think about themselves. But we must not and will not forget about the grim chapters in our history."

Putin also criticized the way the United States behaved during World War II and the Vietnam War, adding, "We have not used nuclear weapons against a civilian population. We have not sprayed thousands of kilometres with chemicals."

On Jun. 26, Ivanov announced Russia has started the mass production of new intercontinental ballistic missiles, declaring, "We are now moving on to a new and very important rearmament stage for both our nuclear strategic forces and our tactical complexes."

On Jul. 5, writer Eduard Limonov—one of the leaders of the opposition Other Russia coalition—announced that the organization will seek to field 450 candidates in the upcoming election. Other Russia has urged the country's electoral authorities to allow candidates to run even if no formal political party is assembled. Limonov said Other Russia is committed to fairness in the ballot, adding, "We cannot boycott the election."

Limonov established the National Bolshevik Party (NBP) in 1992. While the youth political organization was deemed ultra-nationalist in its early beginnings, it has recently focused on opposing Putin's regime.

On Jul. 8, Kasparov urged the divided opposition to accept the nomination of a single candidate to run for the presidency next year. Kasparov declared during a coalition congress: "The goal is to reunite all opposition forces, all those who agree with our principle objective: the need to dismantle the regime that is driving our country toward catastrophe. (...) We need another Russia."

On Jul. 16, the British government announced it was expelling four Russian diplomats, restricting visas issued to Russian officials, and reviewing other aspects of bilateral relations due to Russia's refusal to extradite former intelligence agent Andrei Lugovoi to Britain. Lugovoi is suspected by British authorities of murdering former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko.

The move was followed by Russia's announcement that it would also expel four diplomats, stop issuing visas for British officials, and halt counterterrorism cooperation with Britain. Russian officials have also said they would be willing to try Lugovoi in Russia if British authorities provide compelling evidence to do so.

Zhirinovsky expressed dissatisfaction with the British government, saying, "Great Britain is the most hostile state when it comes to Russia. Russia has never had and will never have the task-oriented enemy of this extent." Zhirinovsky said the "trail of Britain" in "tragic events for Russia" could be seen in the Crimean War, the assassination of Russia's czar "by terrorists", the Russian-Japanese War and the Cold War.

On Jul. 17, Russia's Constitutional Court upheld a law which calls for political parties to have at least 50,000 members in order to be eligible for elections. The Russian Communist Workers' Party-Revolutionary Party of Communists (RKRP-RPK) had filed a legal recourse against the regulation, claiming it limits the right of people to participate in politics.

State Duma member Vladimir Ryzhkov, whose Republican Party of Russia (RPR) was dissolved by the Supreme Court in late March for the same reason, said the decision contradicts existing regulations, adding, "The court has trampled on the Constitution. Everything is done in our country to prevent people from using their constitutional right to unite."

On Jul. 19, Putin referred to the diplomatic impasse with Britain, saying, "I think relations between Russia and Britain will develop normally because both countries are interested in this. It is necessary to measure one's actions against common sense, respect the legitimate interests of partners and everything will be alright. I think we will overcome this mini-crisis."

In July, Russian media reported that the pro-Kremlin youth movement Nashi (Our Own) has organized summer camps for the third consecutive year for about 10,000 young Russians. The camps include "learning sessions" where camp councillors refer to some opposition leaders, including former chess champion Garry Kasparov, as "fascists".

Nashi—which is financed by the Russian government—was founded following the surge of street demonstrations against Putin led by groups such as Kasparov's Other Russia. Nashi leader Vasily Yakemenko said the camps seek to show young people "how the policies of Putin have worked," and added: "In ten years, we will have a huge network of people who share our ideology and who know that is Russia's proper place in the world."

On Jul. 26, the Great Russia party filed a lawsuit against the Federal Registration Service. Sergei Pykhtin, secretary of the party's Central Council, filed the complaint arguing that the registration denial was "illegal and unfounded." Party leader Andrei Savelyev declared: "One of the key questions concerns the party's participation in the State Duma election. While continuing to fight to get the party registered, we will hold negotiations to place our candidates on the lists of other parties."

Great Russia was founded in April 2007. It has stated it supports Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko's candidacy for president of Russia in 2008, despite the fact that Lukashenko is ineligible because he is not a Russian citizen.

In July, Mironov discussed a possible alliance of opposition forces, saying, "I will do my utmost to bring the LDPR and the Communist Party into A Just Russia, and, based on this coalition, create the second strongest party of power." Mironov has also suggested nominating Putin for a new term in office in 2012.

On Jul. 27, Gorbachev discussed Russia's current political situation and accused the government of falling back on democratic reforms and freedoms. Gorbachev also criticized the Other Russia movement, saying it is only "making a bit of noise" and deeming it "a very weak opposition."

On Aug. 2, Medvedev said Russia needs to increase its population, and recalled past times when Russian families had "three, five, or seven children." Medvedev said he favours stimulating such growth again, and suggested enacting a new law that guarantees families a stipend equivalent to $10,000 U.S. for having a second child.

On Aug. 19, Gryzlov said rival politicians should not disturb the public peace, declaring, "Accord and unity take a long time to attain, but can be ruined very quickly. (...) United Russia protects socio-political and economic stability. We urge all our opponents in the upcoming election campaign to demonstrate restraint, to respect and value their country and their people, and to refrain from moves and statements that could undermine the hard-won public accord."

On Aug. 20, the LDPR's website was hacked, and its home page was filled with profanities and crude drawings. LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky declared: "In this incident, I see the beginning of the election campaign."

In August, Ivanov defended the Russian government's decision to deploy strategic bombers on long-range flights, claiming Russian pilots need to "acquire professional experience", and adding, "This isn't connected with thinking in terms of blocs or conflicts, let along a return to the Cold War. This is an ordinary working situation. There are no conflicts. We are flying by the same transparent, understandable rules as our American partners."

On Sept. 11, Russian finance minister Alexei Kudrin said the country’s economy could grow by up to 7.5 per cent in 2007.

On Sept. 12, Putin dismissed Russian prime minister Mikhail Fradkov—who had served since March 2004—and appointed Viktor Zubkov, a former financial police chief and close ally, to supplant him. Zubkov said he could eventually become a presidential candidate, declaring, “If I achieve something as prime minister then I do not rule out that possibility.”

On Sept. 13, Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky expressed satisfaction with the choice, saying, “I believe this will be Russia’s best government in 30 years.”

On Sept. 14, KPRF leader Gennady Zyuganov expressed disappointment with Putin’s decision during the State Duma session where Zubkov was confirmed as prime minister, saying, “(Zubkov) agreed to implement old policies. That road will not take Russia into the 21st century.” The lower house ultimately ratified Zubkov’s nomination in a 381-47 vote.

On Sept. 21, Ivanov told an audience of investors that Russia’s economy will grow by at least 6.0 per cent in 2008 and until at least 2010, adding, “It is crucial that Russia strengthen its position as a dependable and strong partner.”

On Sept. 24, Putin named a new government. The minor changes included three new ministerial appointments. After announcing his decision, Putin declared: “It is my great hope that the Russian government under the leadership of a new prime minister will strive to solve what we consider to be the strategic tasks of the country’s development. (...) In this crucial time, it’s necessary not only to ensure stable work but also energetically promote the implementation of our strategic plans.”

On Sept. 24, Zyuganov chided Putin’s style, saying, “He has more power today than the pharaoh in Egypt, the czar and the Soviet Union’s general secretary had combined.” The KPRF leader also said his party is the only one that offers an alternative in the legislative election scheduled for December, declaring, “Someone in the Kremlin wants us to get only 14 per cent. Look at (A Just Russia). What can it do for the country? The party doesn’t offer even a hint of socialism. There is more socialism in capitalist France than in their program.”

On Oct. 1, Kasparov officially launched his presidential bid, saying, “The parliamentary and presidential campaigns might be considered totally irrelevant, because by current laws we will not be registered in both elections. (...) We know the regime has the weapons to use against us, propaganda, the lies on television and force on the street.”

Also on Oct. 1, Putin accepted an offer to lead the United Russia list in the election to the State Duma, and called the possibility of becoming prime minister “entirely realistic.”

Yavlinsky expressed dismay at Putin’s apparent intentions, saying, “These Stalin-type calls to be eternal, these expressions of gratefulness, these lumbering statements, the creation of this whole atmosphere, are a lot more significant than the formal validation of what everyone knew perfectly well. (...) If this becomes politics and if this United Russia, together with its cell, becomes the country’s governing system, then this is the prelude to very, very serious developments.”

On Oct. 13, U.S. state secretary Condoleezza Rice discussed Putin’s political future, saying, "There’s a lot of speculation about who’s going to be president, whether Putin is going to take any number of jobs or no job at all. I just think speculating on that is not going to help the situation. (...) I think there is too much concentration of power in the Kremlin."

On Oct. 14, Kasparov discussed the current state of Russia’s democracy, stating, “We’re not fighting to win elections, we’re fighting to have elections. (...) The regime is facing an ultimate crisis and it might be even sooner than we expect. It’s important that we are there when the crisis emerges.”

On Oct. 18, government officials acknowledged that inflation in Russia might surpass the 10 per cent barrier next year. While the administration had expected an 8.0 per cent rate of inflation in 2007, consumer prices grew by 7.5 per cent since January and another 0.9 per cent in the first two weeks of October. Russian finance minister Alexei Kudrin declared after a cabinet meeting: “I am looking to the number named by market experts. This number is around 10 per cent.” Andrei Belousov, deputy economy minister, added that inflation may exceed that number.

In October, State Duma speaker and YR leader Boris Gryzlov issued a statement, describing the ballot as a “national referendum in support of Vladimir Putin.” On Oct. 19, KPRF leader Gennady Zyuganov criticized Gryzlov, saying, “The election is not a referendum. Such an interpretation violates the constitution. Gryzlov’s article is in fact a manifesto for an authoritarian coup. Only authoritarianism allows a situation when a person has dictatorial powers without holding the top official post.”

On Oct. 20, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was elected to lead a new political movement called Union of Social Democrats. The group will not participate in the upcoming State Duma election, but is expected to become a political party in the future. Gorbachev said he accepted the nomination partly because he fears democratic institutions in Russia are threatened, adding, “Primarily, this is linked to deformation of parliamentarism when one political force dominates.”

In late October, Russia’s Central Election Committee (CEC) banned the Green Party, the People’s Union and the Party for Peace and Unity from contesting the State Duma election, claiming their registers contained falsified signatures.

On Oct. 30, Estonian prime minister Andrus Ansip expressed concern over the political situation in the Russian Federation, saying, “Naturally, I am worried about the way things are developing in Russia. Only three years ago, the state accounted for 50 per cent of the Russian national economy: now it is 70 per cent.” Ansip also commented on the possibility of Putin becoming prime minister, and stated: “Some say that it would bring stability to Russia, but I would prefer democracy.”

On Oct. 31, the government warned the international community to “abstain from interfering” with the upcoming legislative election, as it announced it would only allow 70 international observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to monitor the process. In the 2003 State Duma election, the OSCE sent 400 observers to Russia.

Kremlin deputy spokesman Dmitry Peskov defended the decision, saying, “No country will accept any attempts from abroad to try to influence (the election). It’s a matter of sovereignty of the country.”

On Nov. 15, the opposition Union of Right Forces (SPS) asked Russia’s Supreme Court to disqualify Putin from running in the upcoming ballot, alleging that his name gives United Russia an unfair advantage. SPS leader Nikita Belykh announced the decision, saying, “Our party filed a suit with the Supreme Court asking it to exclude Vladimir Putin from United Russia’s list of candidates for the parliamentary election.”

Also on Nov. 15, the OSCE announced it would not deploy any monitors to Russia, claiming that Russian authorities “remain unwilling to receive observers in a timely and cooperative manner.”

Polls released in November by the Public Opinion Foundation, the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center, and the Yury Levada Analytical Center all pointed to a victory for United Russia (YR), with more than 50 per cent of all cast ballots.  

Putin’s critics in Russia have noted that YR is basing its campaign on asking voters to “be with Putin” or “support Putin”, rather than on issues or ideas. On Nov. 22, Kirill Kabanov—head of the National Anti-Corruption Committee advocacy group—said the party underestimates the intelligence of Russian voters and called the campaign “insulting”, adding, “It’s not that the United Russia people behave as though privileged, it’s rather that they treat the rest of the people with contempt, as if they were unworthy of discussion.”

On Nov. 23, the SPS nominated Boris Nemtsov as its presidential candidate. Nemtsov is regarded as one of the architects of post-Soviet economic reform in Russia, and worked as deputy prime minister during the presidency of Boris Yeltsin. The candidate’s first advice to his followers was urging them to work as watchdogs of the state security forces, saying, “It is necessary to force the authorities to respect the constitution.”

Voting took place on Dec. 2. Final results gave United Russia (YR) 64.1 per cent of the vote and 315 lawmakers in the State Duma. The Communist Party (KPRF), the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) and A Just Russia were the only other political organizations to gain seats.

State Duma speaker and YR leader Boris Gryzlov declared: "Vladimir Putin has won the first round. This is support for our national leader. A referendum has been held." Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) delegation head Luc van den Brande expressed dissatisfaction with the process, saying, "We cannot say there were fair elections."

2008 Presidential Election

On Dec. 10, Putin endorsed Medvedev as a presidential candidate, saying, “I have known him very closely for more than 17 years and I completely and fully support this proposal. We have a chance to form a robust administration for the Russian Federation after the March elections—an administration that will carry out the same policies that have brought us results for the past eight years.”

On Dec. 12, while celebrating the 14th anniversary of Russia’s Constitution, Valery Zorkina—a judge at the Russian Constitutional Courts—saluted the country’s positive response to the challenges brought by the charter, saying, "Thank God, we have produced a tradition in Russia when the supreme leader of the state, the guarantor of the Constitution, has acted in the way that the Constitution dictates."

Also on Dec. 12, U.S. state secretary Condoleezza Rice discussed the Russian election, saying, “I would hope that the time will come when Russia is going into a presidential election where there is a realistic chance for a really contested election. And I think that, to me, is the biggest problem with this. Look, somebody saying, ‘I have confidence in this person’, that happens. But I don’t think that people view this election as being contested and that’s too bad.”

On Dec. 14, Yabloko deputy chairman Sergei Mitrokhin announced that Vladimir Bukovsky—a Soviet-era dissident who resides in London, England—would be the party’s presidential nominee, adding, “Yabloko is ready to boycott the election, to not participate as a response to what happened on Dec. 2—to the lawlessness that was conducted instead of elections.”

On Dec. 17, Putin announced he would be willing to serve as prime minister is Medvedev wins the March 2008 presidential election, saying, "If the people give their trust to Dmitri Anatolyevich Medvedev and he is elected president, then I would be ready to continue my work as head of government."

On Dec. 18, Nemtsov expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of Russian politics, saying, “Operation ‘successor’ is demeaning to our citizens. If the situation with the (State Duma election) is repeated, nobody in Russia or in the international arena will take Medvedev seriously.”

On Dec. 19, Putin was named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year.” In an interview with the American publication, Putin asserted that the U.S. is trying to marginalize Russia in order to secure a stronger global power, saying, “This is a single-minded attempt to create a certain image of Russia which allows [Washington] to influence our internal and external policy. (...) Russia hasn’t only said but also repeatedly demonstrated by its entire policy in the last 15 years that we do not only want to be America’s partner, but a friend as well. But sometimes I have the impression that America does not need friends. We have the impression that America needs vassals to command.”

On Dec. 22, Bukovsky’s bid was rejected by the Central Election Commission (CEC), because he has not lived in Russia for the past 10 years. So far, six candidates—Medvedev, Nemtsov, former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov, independent Andrei Bogdanov, KPRF leader Gennady Zyuganov, and LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky—remain in the race.

On Dec. 25, Medvedev discussed some of his priorities, saying, “The set of measures may be changing, but it is obvious that the projects will remain, because there is still much work to do. (...) It is necessary to transfer to full-fledged, complex decisions and actively use the accumulated experience for the modernization of the corresponding sectors.”

On Jan. 17, 2008, Medvedev denied accusations that the government would nationalize Russia’s economy and said the state would not “grab everything for itself,” adding, “We have come to create state corporations in some priority fields, but that doesn’t mean a change of course or the renunciation of a market economy, not in the least.”

On Jan. 23, Medvedev officially launched his campaign, telling an audience of Kremlin supporters that Russia needs “decades of stable development.” The presidential frontrunner also talked about the need to loosen state controls over the media, saying, “A modern, prosperous state can now exist only in the free flow of information, and influential and independent media is an inseparable part of it.”

On Jan. 28, Kasyanov was barred from taking part in the election, after the CEC ruled that he had falsified the signatures of supporters in order to register his candidacy. Kasyanov declared: “There is no doubt that the decision not to register my candidacy was taken personally by Vladimir Putin. The country has finally entered the slippery slope to totalitarianism, with a permanent and illegitimate leadership.” CEC member Elvira Yermakova defended the decision, saying, “There was a disgraceful attitude toward the collecting of signatures.”

On Jan. 30, Russian finance minister Alexei Kudrin and state electricity chief Anatoly Chubais—considered one of Russia’s top economists—made a public call for the government to tone down its aggressive foreign policy. Kudrin declared: “Our dependency on global economic ties, on our exports, is felt so strongly, that in the nearest future we need to adjust our foreign policy goals to guarantee stable investment.” Kudrin added: “We really have to think about how much our foreign policy costs our economy.”

On Jan. 31, Medvedev urged businessmen to acquire foreign entities in order to increase Russia’s economic strength, saying that Russia needs to buy technology-related companies and at the same time reduce its “technological dependency”, adding, “One of the paths here is the purchase of foreign enterprises, directly or with stakes in their charter capital.”

On Feb. 6, Europe’s top electoral monitoring body—the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)—announced it will not observe the March ballot citing obstruction by the Russian authorities.

Christian Strohal, head of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), announced the decision, saying, “We made every effort in good faith to deploy our mission, even under the conditions imposed by the Russian authorities. (...) We have a responsibility to all 56 participating states to fulfil our mandate, and the Russian Federation has created limitations that are not conducive to undertaking election observation in accordance with it.” Russia’s foreign ministry called the OSCE’s decision “unacceptable.”

On Feb. 9, Russian finance minister Alexei Kudrin was invited to take part in some of the discussions between G-7 finance ministers and central bank governors about an imminent global economic slowdown. Kudrin said afterwards that Russia will not be affected by the current financial turmoil, saying, “Russia and Asia are somewhat distanced from the problems related to a slowdown in economic growth in the United States and Europe. (Russia) hasn’t even noticed a problem. (...) With the Central Bank’s gold and foreign currency reserves and other liquidity in place, we can absolutely safely confront the possible risk of capital outflow in case the crisis grows. We are absolutely prepared for challenges.”

On Feb. 14, Putin said he will maintain a high level of influence over the country’s administration once he becomes prime minister, adding, “The president is the guarantor of the Constitution. He sets the main directions for internal and external policies. But the highest executive power in the country is the Russian government, led by the prime minister.”

On Feb. 14, Putin warned that he is ready to target missiles at former communist states if they decide to either collaborate with the U.S. anti-missile shield or join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Putin declared: “Our experts consider that this system threatens our national security, and if it appears, we will be obligated to adequately react to this. (...) We are warning people ahead of time: if you take this step, then we will make this step.”

On Feb. 15, Medvedev outlined his economic policies, and said his presidency would push for freedom at both the economical and personal levels, stating, “One of the key elements of our work in the next four years will be ensuring the independence of the legal system from the executive and legislative branches of power.”

On Feb. 19, Zyuganov discussed the announced retirement of Cuban president Fidel Castro, saying, “It’s a brave decision and in taking it I’m sure Fidel Castro was guided by the interests of his country and his people.”

On Feb. 21, the U.S. launched a missile into space to destroy a malfunctioning spy satellite. Russia’s Defence Ministry suggested a few days earlier that the U.S. operation appeared to be an indirect weapons test and an “attempt to move the arms race into space.”

Also on Feb. 21, Masha Lipman, a political analyst at the Moscow Carnegie Center, commented on the current presidential race and condemned the lack of opportunities to hold a real contest, saying, “We have no public accountability, no checks and balances, and actually we don’t have public politics. (...) This election is actually about the incumbent president anointing a successor of his choice, having created a system in which any choice is accepted.”

Polls released in late February by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center, the Yuri Levada Analytical Center, and the Public Opinion Foundation suggested an overwhelming victory for Medvedev.

Voting took place on Mar. 2. Final results released on Mar. 7 gave Medvedev the victory with 70.28 per cent of the popular vote. Zyuganov was second with 17.72 per cent. Turnout was tabled at 69.81 per cent.

On Mar. 13, Putin told Chinese authorities that Russia will strengthen bilateral ties during Medvedev’s presidency. In a statement, the Russian government said that “Putin and [Chinese president] Hu Jintao exchanged sincere wishes of success in future work for the stable development of the two countries in the period after the election of the new Russian president. (...) Putin underlined that the course of comprehensive development of Russian-Chinese strategic cooperation will be continued in the future.”

On May 7, Medvedev was sworn in as president. His nomination of Putin as prime minister was confirmed by the State Duma the next day, in a 392-56 vote.

Political Players

President: Dmitry Medvedev
Prime minister: Vladimir Putin

The president is elected to a four-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Federalnoe Sobranie (Federal Assembly) has two chambers. The Gosudarstvennaya Duma (State Duma) has 450 members, elected to four-year terms; 225 members elected in single-seat constituencies and 225 members elected by proportional representation. The Sovet Federatsii (Federation Council) has 178 members, two delegates for each region.

Results of Last Election:

President - Mar. 2, 2008

	Vote%
Dmitry Medvedev - United Russia (YR)	70.28%
Gennady Zyuganov - Communist Party (KPRF)	17.72%
Vladimir Zhirinovsky - Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR)	9.35%
Andrei Bogdanov - Democratic Party of Russia (DPR)	1.30%

State Duma - Dec. 2, 2007

	Vote%	Seats
United Russia (YR)	64.1%	315
Communist Party (KPRF)	11.6%	57
Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR)	8.2%	40
A Just Russia	7.8%	38
Agrarian Party of Russia (APR)	2.3%	--
Yabloko (Liberal)	1.6%	--
Civilian Power (GS)	1.1%	--
Union of Right Forces (SPS)	1.0%	--
Patriots of Russia (PR)	0.9%	--
Russian Social Justice Party (RPS)	0.2%	--
Democratic Party of Russia (DPR)	0.1%	--
Invalid ballot papers	0.1%	--