Putin's preordained win marred by protests

Voters participated in a silent protest — endorsed by late opposition leader Alexei Navalny — against the president

Russians line up to vote in Berlin
Clearly "all these people came to our demonstration," said Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, "and I thank them all"
(Image credit: Sean Gallup / Getty Images)

What happened

Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated his preordained victory Monday, after Russia's Central Election Commission reported he won 87% of the stage-managed vote. Long lines materialized at noon on Sunday at voting places across Russia and abroad, in a silent protest endorsed by late opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.