{"id":"a319966d-b7a1-4fbd-af7f-888d1f13fce2","slug":"the-russian-political-turmoil-2012-an-american-perspective","title":"The Russian political turmoil (2012): An American perspective","authors":["Miguel A. Faria"],"abstract":"Background: The approaching presidential election in Russia on March 4, 2012, has raised concerns regarding the impact on Russian democracy and European stability. Protests following the December 2011 parliamentary elections have highlighted allegations of electoral fraud and dissatisfaction with the current regime, particularly under Vladimir Putin. Methods: This article provides an analysis of the political landscape in Russia leading up to the 2012 elections, focusing on the candidates, their political affiliations, and public support as indicated by polling data. The examination includes the historical context of Russian politics and the influence of various political factions. Results: Polling data indicates that Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party is projected to receive 42% of the vote, while other parties, including the Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, are polling significantly lower. The article discusses the limited support for pro-democracy candidates and the challenges they face against a backdrop of authoritarianism. Conclusion: The article posits that despite the protests and calls for reform, the entrenched authoritarian political culture in Russia poses significant barriers to genuine democratic change. It emphasizes the need for moral support from the international community for those advocating for freedom and democracy in Russia. Keywords: Russia, elections, democracy, Putin, political turmoil, authoritarianism, protests, political parties","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/a319966d-b7a1-4fbd-af7f-888d1f13fce2/featured/hero-1782420968716.png","publishDate":"2012-02-15T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.92928","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"http://sni.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/3308/SNI-3-28.pdf"}