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From The Times

March 3, 2008

More than 60 million vote for a new President - but was this democracy?

A Russian voter dressed in a mammoth costume

Tony Halpin in Moscow

Russia’s voters dutifully endorsed Dmitri Medvedev as Vladimir Putin’s successor today in a presidential election boycotted by Western observers as undemocratic.

Mr Medvedev won a runaway victory in a contest carefully stage-managed by the Kremlin and in which he faced no serious opposition. Preliminary results showed him winning almost 65 per cent of the vote, with the Communist, Gennadi Zyuganov, trailing in second with 19.8 per cent.

Mr Zyuganov condemned the election as “cynical” and said that it had been marred by “mass falsification” of results. Vladimir Zhirinovsky, an anti-Western nationalist, won nearly 13 per cent, while the little-known Andrei Bogdanov of the Democratic Party got just 1.5 per cent.

Turnout was estimated at 64 per cent, amid suggestions that regional governors had been under Kremlin pressure to give Mr Medvedev a “mandate” by getting two thirds of Russia’s 100 million voters to the polls.

Many regions created a holiday atmosphere around polling stations, offering cheap food, concerts, flowers and prize draws to persuade voters to turn out. Government employees, including teachers and hospital staff, complained that officials were forcing them to vote at their workplaces to guarantee a high turnout. Some said that they had been threatened with the sack if they did not vote.

Many Russians genuinely supported Mr Medvedev, however, because he was endorsed by Mr Putin and had pledged to maintain stability by continuing his policies. Russia has enjoyed eight years of economic growth under Mr Putin and is in the midst of an oil-fuelled consumer boom.

Mr Medvedev, 42, becomes Russia’s youngest leader since Tsar Nicholas II and the first President who has not risen through the ranks of the Communist Party or the KGB secret police. He has been presented as the standard bearer of a new generation of liberally inclined Russian leaders more sympathetic to the West, in stark contrast to Mr Putin’s aggressive rhetoric of recent months. “I’m in a good mood. Spring is here. The season has changed,” he said as he cast his vote. Mr Putin declared himself in “holiday” mood as he voted.

The two men underlined their confidence by lunching at a Moscow restaurant with the outgoing Prime Minister, Viktor Zubkov, and the Speakers of Russia’s two houses of parliament. The five most powerful politicians in the land laughed and joked over a fish meal alongside children from one of the city’s orphanages.

Election watchdogs from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) cancelled their monitoring mission after complaining that restrictions imposed by Russia made their task impossible.

Fewer than 300 international observers were in Russia to monitor 96,000 polling stations across 11 times zones. Most were from former Soviet republics in the Commonwealth of Independent States, which has a history of rubber-stamping the outcome of elections regardless of any violations.

The Kremlin brushed off the criticism. Mr Putin’s spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, said: “These are free and democratic elections after a free and democratic campaign.” Leaders of the liberal opposition were scathing about the election. Mikhail Kasyanov, a former Prime Minister who was barred from getting on the ballot, said: “The result doesn’t matter as this is an illegitimate transfer of power.”

Riot police surrounded Garry Kasparov, the chess champion who leads the anti-Putin coalition The Other Russia, as he carried a plastic shopping bag near Red Square bearing the words “I am not participating in this farce”.

I am interested in how we seem able to accept a system where the party picks the top man i.e. Prime Minister in GB and the people pick the top man in the USA but whatever system Russia has is not just good enough. Talk about gloating after 3centuries of Empire building and an Imperial Crown Colony I don't know what to call it government in India.We are like eager ex alcoholics or ex smokers who want the world to join us in our new found vision of life and citizens rights.

Andrew O'Donnell, Sacramento, CA .USA

One fact that surprised me about today's Russia is the fact that one can stage a peaceful political protest rally in red square without prior approval.

That kind of behaviour near parliament is now illegal in 'free' great britain. Likewise for Washington DC in the 'free' usa!

Ken Hall, Barrow in Furness, UK

The comment with lather jacket is so pathetic.
People, don`t you understand that a country with such economic growth (boom) does not need to obey the brutality of the USA? Thank good it has happened! Monopoly is bad, very bad, like in business. The sooner you learn that Russia is powerfull, the more chances you will have to develop a sane coopereation as opposed to barking and gettting nowhere.
People in the USA and the UK have to learn that there is more than one truth. Very simple. It is like in business: there are different companies, the more the better, competition is good, different policies, but what counts is the result. Unfortunately, the UK economy is not in an enviable situation . What does that say to you? That they should mind their own business and save some bombs (they`ve dropped too many with their American allies). Just common sense. Mind your own business. Simple, simple, simple.

Kathy, Athens, Greece

Dmitri,

To answer your question regarding who a Brit would have voted for......

As a Brit who lives in Russia a lot of the time, I was impressed by Medvedev some time ago. He seemed forward looking, intellectual and genuinely desiring to move Russia forward.

However, I became convinced that Sergei Ivanov was going to be Putin's choice.

The point a lot of people seem to have missed is that , if United Russia is the major party, there should have been some sort of democratic process to elect the candidate for that party, with full discussion of the issues at stake. For example, Putin could have said - I don't mind who you choose, but I endorse both Ivanov and Medvedev.

Gary Hyams, Chigwell, Essex

I'm just curious, how GB citizens would vote for as Russian President? This would be and interesting poll:
"If you have a choice to elect ANY Russian politician how would you vote for and why?"

Dmitri, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation

Of course!
Everyone knows that real democratic elections were in Afghanistan and Iraq under the lash... or in USA where the next president will be elected even not by people, but by electors... or in UK, where the active prime minister just got his post as by right of succession from Bush's poodle...
Stop your senseless reasoning! The formula of democracy is very simple nowadays. Democracy = the White House's approval. You don't agree? Wait for a humanitarian bombing!

Peter, Tver, Russia

TO: Jon Underwood, Edinburgh, Uk
"...Russians as has been demonstrated can't do this" - because they don't think of Putin and government as "tyrannous or corrupt" but efficient and professional, so they are it their right to re-elect how ever they choose (which has happen). US and EU considered elections in Iraq and Afghanistan as "democratic". Why judge Russia&

Dmitri, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation

Democracy - good old democracy. It's been the hot new ideological toy everybody wants for the last few decades. Just make sure you check the back of the pack for the small print. Will your operating system handle it? And what version do you have or want? Democracy - but not as you know it on my blog at http://angryafrican.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/its-democracy-but-not-as-you-know-it/

HenkC, Boston, US

I'm very glad that the majority of those who wrote above denies the idea of the US and the UK being democratic states. It shows that people THINK - and not listen to what the propaganda says.

Stephen, Moscow, The Russian Federation

It was real circus! One Bear (Medvedev) and three dead politics! No choice! No alternative! No better future for commoners! Viva la New Tsar of Russia!

Roman Andreev, Moscow, Russia

I'm a student of one of the top Moscow universities and yesterday there was the only voting station in our campus, so results on this VS should exactly represent our point of view. Obviously, students' point of view is much democratic than the majority opinon, one of the great reasons why is the fact that just all of us prefer to use Internet to get objective news rather than watch TV (All public TV channels in Russia are in fact controlled by Government).
Yesterday there wasn't democratic opposition(Bogdanov de-facto was 'created' by Kremlin in October,2007
to legitimate the election), there wasn't 'against all' option to vote. A lot of us voted for Zyuganov(as against Medvedev), in spite of this the official results on our VS was confusing: 60 percent for Medvedev. The thuth is the our government afraid of own proper people. And all that they say on TV is "BTW, Westerns have lynched blacks!" and nothing about Russia.

Eugeny, Moscow, Russia

It's very funny to read all this since most of you never been to Russia, only read what you are fed by your TV or papers and probably can't even tell the difference between Russian Federation and Soviet Union. No wonder. Most Russians can tell the difference between GB and England too. The truth is that Russians don't want more REVOLUTIONS. Neither colored nor simply RED. There is no real alternative to Medvedev for Russia or Western countries (even is they say otherwise). Considering that your criticism is the criticism of the "faithful royal subjects" please remember that pure democracy is the figment of your imagination. Be real, come to Russia and make your own mind, not what "independent" media tells you to think. It was the election and not anything else.
P.S. I don't work for KGB or other "secret police" and never will.
P.S.S. KGB doesn't exist for some time, but stereotypes are very convenient.

Dmitri, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation

Adam J Meckier, Carmichael, California......The only things they recognise is power.
Is it well said. The present democrat!

Vasiliw Ivanov, Cheboksary, Russian Federation

Adam, by "friends" you mean poverty of 90s, supporting terrorists, rusophobia in western media? Sure we don't understand such "friendship" here in Russia.

Pc, Moscow,

Russia:
Medvedev, a friend of Putin become a President.
Well this is just undemocratic.

USA:
H. Klinton, a wife of former Presidet could become a President.
Well thats pure democracy.

C'mon, ou must be joking, right?

ps. sorry foor my poor english, i hope you get the idea

Dmitry, Saint-Petersbourg, Russia

Accusations of vote-fixing are all very well but look at the opposition candidates the Russian voters were faced with: an ex-Communist and an extremist, right-wing nationalist who hates progress. Not much of a choice really so Russians made the obvious decision and selected the good-looking, young candidate who might bring some change and who supports business and economic growth. It's not all that different to democracy in any other country e.g. the US elections.

It is truly tiresome, however, to hear smug UK and US commentators remarking on the fragility of Russian democracy. Why don't they take care of democracy in their own country first? The election of George W. Bush in 2001 was hardly uncontroversial and democracy in the UK is also unsatisfactory as there is little effective opposition to the Labour party. Democracy is inherently flawed but, like capitalism, no-one's been able to come up with a better system yet.

MB, Edinburgh,

I'm a student of one of the top Moscow universities and I wish to say what I see. Yesterday there was the only voting station in our campus, so results on this VS should exactly represent the point of view of students. Obviously, this point of view is much democratic than the majority opinon, one of the great reasons why is the fact that just all of us prefer to use Internet to get objective image of situation in Russia rather than watch TV (All public TV channels in Russia are in fact controlled by Government). Yesterday there wasn't democratic opposition(Bogdanov de-facto was 'created' by Kremlin in October,2007 to legitimate the election), there wasn't 'against all' option to vote. Many of us voted for Zyuganov, many of us damaged bulletins and some of us took bulletins to prevent falsifications. In spite of this the official results on our VS was confusing: only 60 of 1200 bulletins was damaged, only 7 missed, 60 percent for Medvedev.

I think we can't save our country.

Eugeny, Moscow, Russia

John Ledbury, did you bother to ask Russians if they want to learn democracy from you? We don't! Leave us alone! We have our own life and we neither need, nor asked for your western teachings.

By the way, it is really interesting to see how 60 million voices are ignored by Western news agencies and politicians. And these people want to teach Russians democracy! They ignore wishes of 60 million and still talk about democracy. Double moral, this is what it is. Sorry, people, you have no right to teach anyone because you are not democratic.

Russia will never want to learn from such people.

Russian, Moscow, Russia

Sorry, my English not good, but I hope you will able understand what I want to say. I don't think that people outside Russia know many about Zuganov and Zhirinovsky. I live in Russia and still don't know who is Bogdanov. He didn't anything for Russia, and how such man could be president? Zuganov, he is communist. So if he become our president, then we come back to the USSR, with foolish ideals and cold war. If Zhirinovsky became president, then we must have hard confrontation with West, especially with US. And many people here think that he could start 3 World War. Medvedev the best candidat on this Election. Putin take destroyed country and now Russia more better then 8 years ago. Medvedev can continue this growing up. Sorry for my English.

Alexander, Moscow, Russia

Democracy is not something valuable on its own. The results a given system produces are. The belief that establishing a democratic system automatically yields prosperity is as naive as believing Iraquis would jump on the train of democracy and prosperity as soon as someone would free them of S. Hussein.
The result of these naivity has been, in Russia's case (under Eltsin the democratic, the same one who bombed his own prliament ), the biggest geo-political catastrophe of the second half of the 20th century, with a loss of 30 million citizens.
In Iraq's case a quagmire whose end is not in sight yet.
It would be wonderful if democratic elections were a magic recipe able to solve whole countries' problems, but it is not so. Democracy, freedom, justice and prosperity can only blossom after a certain degree of stability (read: faith in tomorrow) is establishedt. Not the other way around.
If I were Russian I would also vote for stability and only afterwards think about democracy.

Gabriele, Moscow, Russia

When Western monitors state that the presidential election was unfair and undemocratic, yet the outcome reflected the will of the people, I have to scratch my head and wonder about our definition of democracy. In the UK we have a parliamentary democracy that just offers a choice to people once every 4 or 5 years to vote for either a liberal middle of the road party or a liberal middle of the road party (or a small liberal, middle of the road party). We get a new PM that we didn't vote for. The idea of letting the people vote directly on important issues such as Europe, immigration or capital punishment is anathma to these democrats. We can hardly criticise the Russians.

Marcus Ball, Andover,

Democracy of double standards - this is the democracy the Westerners are proud with. What is OK for the West is democratic, if not - brutal violation of democracy.

Victor, Moscow,

The western propaganda machine has been at full throttle to gain anti putin waves. The truth is democracy in russia is as good as the West if not better. Russia is on a revival and no amount of pressure can change this. The west needs to learn that the 21 century is going to be all Asia. ha ha ha ...

Dave Smith, leeds, England

I feel very depressed ablout the so called democracy that we experience here in the UK! The amount the UK government actually listens to the people once elected makes me feel like I live in an elected dictatorship... so I think we can hardly criticise the Russians. Once WE have a government whose policies relects the will of the people then maybe we can lecture others.

Andrew brown, derby, UK

If we want to get rid of our government our 'revolution' is done by the ballot box, so in a fundamental sense we live in a democracy, not a strict democracy as we don't make every single decision by direct vote, we elect representatives to spend their time weighing up the decisions in parliament. We can choose to vote out tyrannous or corrupt government, Russians as has been demonstrated can't do this, so instead of picking over the shortfalls in the UK system, which actually shows a genuinely progressive trend towards liberalisation and reform, perhaps remember that basic capability.

Jon Underwood, Edinburgh, Uk

This election was not democratic but the Russian people would have voted for Medvedev even with multiple alternative candidates. The real issue is that there is no real opposition. The so called democratic opposition lost its credibility after they rigged the 1996 election selling the country to a few oligarchs and western advisors in exchange for another four years for Yeltsin. That was the end of democracy and its benefits for Russian people. And the West welcomed Yeltsin's reelection and did not criticise the manipulation and rigged votes back then. There is no trust or respect for the Western criticism in today's Russia.
Medvedev and Putin are good for the country which is not ready for democracy. This is very sad.

Elena, Novosibirsk,

Where is the referendum that Mr Gordon Brown promised for the EU constitution? Is that democracy?

adam, london, uk

those who know a little about russia and its people understand why putin did a very good job, and so medvedev will do. its understandable that those who just read the tabloids and don t question anything, disagree now, because all what these newspapers say is just made up from the western point of view. just because russia doesn t obey to american and european rules, they are being denuciated as non-democrats, whatever this means.. russians have lived almost a thousand years under a leader, was it the tsar-periods or during communism. how to implement democracy like in western europe to a culture, where this has never been? they should start reading some books, before making politics. i wish medvedev the best.

james richardson , Berlin, Germany ,

The problem with Western leaders towards Russia is that Russia has got a large amount of wealth that the west hasn't got. And with all the money and no wars to worry about the Russians will have a world influence.

That is a worrying aspect for Mr Bush and his allies. What would happen when the allies withdraw from Iraq? The Iraqis don' t want the Americans there.

bob, hamilton, uk

Oh! come off it. What makes you think that we live in a democracy? We are being run by a political crew who do what they like, when they like and how they like, all for their own personal benefit. Deaf ears are being turned fo our pleas for a referendum and nothing can be truly investigated. Records are being shredded to cover the sleaze and our EU masters haven't balanced their books for over fifteen years. Democracy?

trevorjd, Torbay, UK

The western yearning for another Yeltsin is pretty obvious. The Russian electorate has far more political savvy than the British or the American. Good luck to them. I do hope that they get to enjoy their wealth without benefiting the Zionist oligarchs.

Ernie de Silva, Reading, Berkshire, UK

Not too much different from UK . Certainly equal to USA where money elects. Candidates for MP are not representative of the electorate in UK, they are put up by a small clique from a party then voted for by the electorate as the only choices. From then on they do their own thing regardless of the opinions of the electorate. Democracy??????

Dave Madley, Alicante, Spain

Yes, these elections was predictable. But does Russians had any other choise? It can be said that there was no way for real opposition to win. But there is NO real opposition! You must notice that there is no more real political power in Russia than Putin & Co. Communists? Pro-western democrats? don't think so. You need to live in Ru for at least last 10 years to understand how much Putin did. Russia was almost ruined by Yeltsin ruled by western money. That was good only for US. not for russians. I can understand the will of NATO countries, it is pretty clean that strong Russia may become a problem for US policy in Eurasia. We don't want same democracy as in Iraq or Afganistan. most Russians do not believe in such things. They need strong leader.
R.A. Heinlein said: "American Eagle of Democracy is not a symbol of pride any more - now he is tearing dead bodies"
You know, It is fun for me to watch over the president campaign in US.

Alex, St.Petersburg/Berlin/Helsinki, Russia/Germany/Finland

It's very funny to read all this since most of you never been to Russia, only read what you are fed by your TV or papers and probably can't even tell the difference between Russian Federation and Soviet Union. No wonder. Most Russians can tell the difference between GB and England too. The truth is that Russians don't want more REVOLUTIONS. Neither colored nor simply RED. There is no real alternative to Medvedev for Russia or Western countries (even is they say otherwise). Considering that your criticism is the criticism of the "faithful royal subjects" please remember that pure democracy is the figment of your imagination. Be real, come to Russia and make your own mind, not what "independent" media tells you to think. It was the election and not anything else.
P.S. I donâ€™t work for KGB or any other â€œsecret policeâ€
P.S.S. KGB doesnâ€™t exist since 1991, but stereotypes are very convenient.

Dmitri, St Petersburg, Russian Federation

It is quite amazing to read some people's comments and to see that they believe they are in a true democracy with fair elections ! It is ironic that in fact all democracy means in "free/democratic" nations is that we have been brainwashed into thinking that we have a say ! that our votes are counted ! that there is no corruption and no arrangements !

Putin has done an amazing task in the largest country in the world composed of a huge array of races, cultures and ideals, in such a short period of time. From chaos, he created a climate of stability, growth and investment.
In Europe, how long have we tried to get on and create a European Community??? Are our economies doing well ? are we encouraging business development ? are we fair ?
I think not!
Just look at Kosovo! some people didn't like it in Albania, moved to Kosovo, chased the rightful owners out, demand independance and we give them our blessing !!!
Yeah I can see how great our democratic system is!

Marie-Claire Hawthorne, Hornchurch, England

Gabriele, Moscow, Russia

This is what happens in a society where people have no say whatsoever, the election's outcome is clear well before it's even started and all the people can do is to "vote" in order not to lose their livelihood. The matter of - you do what you told and we won't....

juri, reading,

So it is democracy for us to have a foreigner, who wasn't elected by his party, his party not elected in his country and certainly not elected by the English? The Russians obviously have a great deal to learn from us about democracy!!

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

Isn't this what Blair and Brown did? I can't remember ever being asked if I wanted Brown as PM

Duggo, London,

Putin has brought stability to Russia. The alternative for the West could have been horrendous. The Russians have roared a bit, but there has been very little action.

We should look more closely at the price the Russians will pay for this stability . It actually means paralysis. No progress is being made because everybody is afraid to take any initiative without the consent of one man. Even Putin complains it is almost impossible to start a business in Russia and Medvedev recently spoke about 'legal nihilism'. They don't get it themselves, because they only see democracy in a very narrow sense of having a free and fair election (which is now in doubt). They can't see that you've got to have the whole package - true political parties, independent judiaciary, free press, independent television stations, devolved government
etc .
The result is that 50% of GDP is made up of oil related industries, there is no business investment, agriculture is failing at a time of rising food price

Gary Hyams, Chigwell, Essex

Isn't it amazing we laud the Russians after electing a leader like Yeltsin because he runs a western style campaign that had western money backing him while we deride them for picking Putin's party after an amazing 8 yrs of economic growth, an increase in international power and fewer ideologues and more professionals in the Kremlin than with Yeltsin. My brother in law voted against Medvedev (he lives in Russia) while my wife & 3 friend toasted him here in Washington. The Russian vote was more democratic than the last govoners race in Washington. It may not have been perfect but it is better.

Robert Stewart, Auburn, Washington

Now that the Russian elections are over we can expect some fun! (The wrong kind)
WE had thought that we were finally frinds with tha Russians but there is no such things!......In their vocabulary.......The only things they recognise is power.

Adam J Meckier, Carmichael, California

Everything was crystal clear since the very moment the ally was named. All the real candidats were swept away long before the elections. It was a choice without any choice. Congratulations Mr Medvedev! Now Russia have a new, young president with a handsome baby-face! The two will overrule Russia, for sure!

Nataly, London, UK

Leather jackets will not make you tough.

Richard Groff, Bradenton, FL

Everything was crystal clear since the very moment the ally was named. All the real candidates were swept away long before the elections. It was a choice without any choice. Congratulations Mr Medvedev! Now Russia have a new, young president with a handsome baby-face! The two will overrule Russia, for sure!

Nataly, London, UK