Expert: Putin Election Most Likely Tainted

Pitch

Vladimir Putin recently won the Russian Federation presidency by 64 percent of the vote. However, many cry foul at the results, and a Texas Tech University expert in Russian politics said charges of election fraud are most likely true.

 

Expert

Frank C. Thames, associate professor of political science and expert on Russian politics, (806) 742-4049 or frank.thames@ttu.edu.

 

Talking Points

• Putin’s support, much of it legitimately earned, is based on his success in overseeing economic improvement.
• Russians, on the whole, are wealthier than they have been since the end of communism. In fact, many of the people who are demonstrating against him are people who have benefited under his rule. The question is whether he will have to uses stronger measures to keep the peace.
• Many of the protestors are tired of the managed democracy and want more input.  It is unclear whether he can continue as he has done in the past.
• If election corruption is discovered, it will likely be ignored. Putin will blame it on his enemies and suggest the U.S. is behind it. For those who believe the allegations are true, there is nothing that he can say that will dissuade them.

 

Quotes

• “There are various reports, including apparent evidence from webcams, of ballot box stuffing.  There are also reports of United Russia officials using buses to move voters from one poll to the next to cast multiple votes. The reports are most likely true.”
• “In all of the Putin elections, there has been evidence of these tactics.  The data on voter turnout and support for Putin and his allies shows evidence of unexpectedly high rates of both in several regions, in particular the Caucasus.”
• “Medvedev is considered more liberal; however, there is little evidence that his programs accomplished anything. In fact, Putin was always in charge as prime minister. Putin has, at times, wanted to modernize and end corruption as well.  The problem is that serious attempts at either risk antagonizing those groups who profit from the status quo. Without the support of many business interests who profit from the current situation, Putin would be much weaker.”
• “The news coverage does not do a particularly good job of emphasizing how much support Putin does enjoy in particular outside of the major urban centers.”