Russia 2021: Consolidation of a dictatorship
Russia 2021: Consolidation of a dictatorship

Author(s): Maria Domańska
Subject(s): Media studies, Governance, Government/Political systems, Political behavior, Politics and communication, Politics and society, History of Communism
Published by: OSW Ośrodek Studiów Wschodnich im. Marka Karpia
Keywords: Russia; dictatorship; Vladimir Putin; Repression; Increased control over the Internet; Communists;
Summary/Abstract: The dynamics of the domestic political situation in Russia in 2021 was determined by the authorities’ crackdown on Alexei Navalny – the most important opposition figure – as well as on his associates and supporters. The aim was to destroy the nucleus of a nascent political alternative to the regime in view of the parliamentary election in September 2021 and, above all, the presidential election scheduled for 2024. The September vote revealed the limits of public support for the Kremlin and the considerable scale of the protest vote against those in power. Despite the unprecedented wave of repression and the lack of real competition in the parliamentary election, it was necessary to commit wholesale fraud to achieve the desired official results. The communist party (CPRF) became the main beneficiary of the protest vote, although it is doubtful whether the communists can become a real opposition force.

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