Putin's preordained win marred by protests
Voters participated in a silent protest — endorsed by late opposition leader Alexei Navalny — against the president


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.
What said what
Putin said his landslide victory shows a "common will of the people," and he dismissed the opposition's evidently successful "Noon Against Putin" protest as praiseworthy "calls to come vote." Clearly "all these people came to our demonstration at noon," Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, said after voting at Russia's Berlin embassy (pictured above), "and I thank them all."
The commentary
Undoubtedly "Putin will use the outcome as proof of mass support" and democratic legitimacy, Eva Hartog said at Politico, but the obviously fraudulent margin of victory makes him look weak, so Putin "might be the biggest dupe of his own rigged vote."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Russians are "uneasy" now because "the period after any presidential election is when the Kremlin habitually introduces unpopular policies," The New York Times said. This time they expect a military mobilization for Ukraine.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Should you add your child to your credit card?
The Explainer You can make them an authorized user on your account in order to help them build credit
-
Cracker Barrel crackup: How the culture wars are upending corporate branding
In the Spotlight Is it 'woke' to leave nostalgia behind?
-
'It's hard to discern what it actually means'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'It's hard to discern what it actually means'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Judge: Trump's US attorney in NJ serving unlawfully
Speed Read The appointment of Trump's former personal defense lawyer, Alina Habba, as acting US attorney in New Jersey was ruled 'unlawful'
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records request
Speed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by Trump
Speed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBI
Speed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino