I haven't read much in this thread, but from what I'm aware, Putin has genuine mass popular support in Russia. While some of his actions are anti-democratic, this doesn't change anything. Russia is wealthier than at any time than it has been since the fall of the Soviet Union, and without wanting to overgeneralize the Russians, they have an appreciation for a leader who is a strongman that provides security and stability, even if they are somewhat autocratic.
Putin's party has just massively won the Russian parliamentary elections. While there are some complaints from different quarters, I don't think anyone can deny Putin's mandate in Russia now.
Quote:
Putin's party sweeps to victory
MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- President Vladimir Putin's party claimed a sweeping mandate in Russia's parliamentary elections Sunday, winning nearly two-thirds of the vote in a contest that could let Putin wield power beyond the upcoming end of his presidential term.
With nearly 92 percent of precincts reporting, Putin's United Russia Party had 63.2 percent of the vote, according to the Central Election Commission. That margin would be enough to form a majority in the Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, party leader Boris Gryzlov said at a news conference.
"The election is vindication that Vladimir Putin is the country's national leader, and that the Russian voters support the political course he has taken in the last eight years," Gryzlov said.
Three other parties are expected to hold seats in the new Duma. As of early Monday, the opposition Communist Party had received 11.7 percent of the vote; the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, 8.4 percent; and the pro-Putin Fair Russian Party 8 percent.
Putin holds the top spot on United Russia's list of candidates, which guarantees him a seat in parliament. Sunday's showing by United Russia is likely to allow the president to extend his influence over Russian affairs when his presidential terms ends in 2008 -- perhaps as prime minister.
The Russian leader, whom critics accuse of undermining political and media freedoms while president, has said he would consider taking the post of prime minister if his party were to win a landslide victory. He has already held that office, in 1999, before then-President Boris Yeltsin named the former KGB officer Russia's acting president.
Putin was elected to succeed Yeltsin in 2000 and won a second term in 2004.
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Putin's party sweeps to victory - CNN.com