Articles
Elections in Russia in 2011 and 2012. Change or socio-political stagnation
Parliamentary elections in 2011 and presidential elections in 2012 proved to be the most exciting struggle for power in Russia. Despite numerous reports of irregularities, Vladimir Putin was the winner of the presidential elections in Russia. People felt betrayed by the authority, it was found that the four-year term of Prime Minister Putin was merely a transitional period to re-take the helm at the Kremlin. Political forecasts did not predict the huge public demonstrations, which were opposed to Putin’s candidacy for president. Elections, both parliamentary and presidential, resembled his character more than the choice of a plebiscite among the alternatives from a wide political spectrum.
Events in Russia, which were observed by political scientists, have set the new research questions concerning the electoral competition. The purpose of the analysis is to answer the question whether there has been a change in the formulation of political disputes in Russia and if so, what factors affect their transformation? The paper is to specify the factors dynamizing the electoral competition, and also to indicate what values manage to mobilize people. The analysis of the manifestations accompanying the elections in Russia will also point to new forms and techniques of protest.