Economist Podcasts Potemkin polls: Russia’s elections
Sep 20, 2021
Arkady Ostrovsky, The Economist's Russia editor, and Avantika Chilkoti, international correspondent, dive into the contentious atmosphere surrounding Russia's recent elections, where Vladimir Putin's party emerged victorious amid claims of fraud. They discuss the waning facade of the Kremlin, the surprising resilience of the opposition, and Alexei Navalny's influence. Chilkoti highlights the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's role in global health, questioning the efficacy of its funds while exploring innovative projects like the Omni Processor that aim to make a real impact.
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Putin's Reduced Victory
- Russia's legislative elections saw Vladimir Putin's United Russia party secure victory, but with a reduced percentage of the vote than in previous elections.
- This outcome is notable despite the jailing of dissident Alexei Navalny and the banning of numerous opposition parties.
Vote-Rigging Tactics
- Russia's recent election was marked by extensive vote-rigging efforts, including three-day voting that hampered observation.
- These tactics included manipulating vote counts when Navalny-endorsed candidates performed well.
Opposition Impact
- Despite facing significant obstacles, opposition forces in Russia made a considerable impact in the elections.
- Two key factors contributing to this were the growing influence of the Communist Party and Alexei Navalny's "smart voting" system.