So, yesterday Russia had elections for the state Duma (basically the Russian Parliament.)And Vladimir Putin's party won and lost at the same time. He lost his two-third majority with United Russia taking 238 seats compared to 315 in 2007. Yet, he won a majority with the 238 seats compared to the 226 seats needed for a majority. So he won. Just not absolutely. Many people are discontented with United Russia. It's understandable: they've been in power for so long and the current economic situation and corruption scandals have ravished the party's image.
But does that still mean that Putin should be ravished in the press? Not so much the Russian press but the western press who are seemingly revelling in delight at this apparent 'failure.' I know I have to be careful in sounding incredibly stereotypical, like a 'Western hating soviet from the cold war' but trust me, if this was the case I wouldn't be living here. What those papers never take into account when attacking Putin is that his popularity far outnumbers that of his party. They also haven't bothered to take into account that winning practically 50% in a multi-party election (7 parties) is in fact, an incredibly high score (even though the results HAVE been thought to be rigged), something that rarely happens in the UK and others. Why do you think there is coalition governments and second rounds? In fact, if a Western leader had won the headline would be sure to read 'Landslide victory!'
I don't support Putin or his party so in retrospect this article appears pointless. It was just important for me to express my discontent with the media, in the same way they frequently 'express' the discontent many Russian feel with Putin. A majority of Russian's like to have a strong leader, hence Putin. I feel the only explanation for his lack of votes this time around isn't the corruption or economy but the stagnation and image of Russia that will swiftly change if he repeated the victory of 2007. Most Russian's are bored of not so much him but of the party and the seeming irregularities in the Duma elections, however, without United Russia as it's leader, the Duma throws Russia into a kind of political limbo. Because it is NEVER took into account that the second biggest party after United Russia is the Communist party. And we ALL know how many countries feel about that. Never in my opinion have the lyrics to 'Run this town' been more profound...
"Life's a game but it's not fair
I break the rules so I don't care
So I keep doin' my own thing
Walkin' tall against the rain
Victory's within the mile
Almost there, don't give up now
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who's gonna run this town tonight"
"Life's a game but it's not fair
I break the rules so I don't care
So I keep doin' my own thing
Walkin' tall against the rain
Victory's within the mile
Almost there, don't give up now
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who's gonna run this town tonight"
Famous slogans anti United Russia ...
