Vladimir Putin yesterday won a “crushing victory,” as The Associated Press put it, over his meager political opposition for seats in the Russian parliament.
Putin, who is barred from running for president again after next year, instead is counting on his United Russia Party in parliament to give him even more power as prime minister.
United Russia took 64 percent of the votes. Two other political parties financially controlled by Putin won another 16 percent. The Communist Party, the only major party not controlled by Putin, collected 11.6 percent of the ballots.
Democracy down. The Communists will be able to challenge Putin’s power grab on occasion, but they’ll be overwhelmed in a parliament 80 to 90 percent in Putin’s hands.
On the same day Venezuelans said “No” to dictatorship, the manipulated Russians said “Da.”
Frank Warner
Putin will eventually overplay his political hand and his own party and president will want to get rid of him, Soviet or Soprano style. Putin cannot rule without the legitmatcy of the Office of President. Even the worse slacker would want the attention and power and will not share it with Putin. Putin wishful thinking will get him deep sixed.
Danny L. McDaniel
Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by: Danny L. McDaniel | December 03, 2007 at 01:03 PM
We can only hope.
I've long thought that you don't have a democracy until you've had three elections that change the ruling party. The first election is the revolution. The second is a test of humility. The third proves your country has the habits of democracy.
Russia so far has had only the first election. Putin is part of Yeltsin's old party, and he's bought up all the other parties, except those Communists.
Posted by: Frank Warner | December 03, 2007 at 02:02 PM