Russian elections news stories on Newser

Today's Shocker: Medvedev Approved as Russia PM

Evann Gastaldo — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:36:07 CDT

Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin completed their long-anticipated job swap today, with Russia’s parliament approving Medvedev as prime minister, as had been expected. Medvedev, who received a 299-144 vote, will serve under Putin, who was inaugurated for his third term as president yesterday and quickly nominated Medvedev as PM.

Russia Busts Opposition Leaders

Sun, 06 May 2012 10:31:16 CDT

Police in Moscow have arrested top opposition figures along with demonstrators after a protest march on the eve of Vladimir Putin's inauguration as president tried to reach the Kremlin. The march by about 20,000 people to an island adjacent to the Kremlin proceeded peacefully this afternoon until a small...

In Chechnya, 107% Turnout —for Putin

Polly Davis Doig — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:56:06 CST

Vladimir Putin may have engaged in a brutal crackdown on Chechnya over the last, say, decade-plus, but it appears to have done wonders for his popularity, as evidenced by his extraordinary results there in Sunday's elections. A little too extraordinary, reports the New York Times: Putin garnered 1,482 votes...

Cops Break Up Anti-Putin Rally

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:19:18 CST

Riot police today quickly and forcefully broke up an opposition attempt to occupy a downtown square in a bid to challenge Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's victory in Russia's presidential election, arresting dozens of participants, including some prominent opposition leaders. The harsh police action could fuel the opposition anger and trigger...

12K Cops Ready Selves for Moscow Protests

Matt Cantor — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:56:42 CST

Talk of fraud has already tarnished Vladimir Putin's victory in the Russian presidential election; now an international watchdog group says his win, with 63% of the vote, was "clearly skewed," the BBC reports. "The point of elections is that the outcome should be uncertain," says a rep for the Organization...

Putin Declares Victory

Polly Davis Doig — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 13:45:33 CST

Vladimir Putin declared victory in today's presidential elections after preliminary results and exit polls gave him about 60% of the vote, the BBC reports. "I promised you we would win, and we won," he said, eyes brimming with tears before supporters in central Moscow. "Glory to Russia! ... We proved that...

Putin: I May Run Again in 2018

Kevin Spak — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:24:05 CST

Russia isn't going to be rid of Vladimir Putin anytime soon. Putin hasn't even officially won his third term as president, but in an interview with six foreign newspapers today he was already speculating about whether he'd run again in 2018. "It would be normal, if things are going well,...

Hey, Virgins, Vote for Putin!

Evann Gastaldo — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 10:22:25 CST

Good old Vladimir Putin is usually good for a wacky headline: This time, his backers are appealing to "virgin" voters in a new ad campaign, in which doctors and others advise young ladies on their "first time." Turns out they're actually urging the women to vote for Putin, because "with...

Agents Foil Plot to Kill Putin

Matt Cantor — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:47:11 CST

Just released information about a bust that happened weeks ago: Russian TV reports that Ukrainian and Russian intelligence agents arrested a team plotting to assassinate Vladimir Putin. An explosion drew officials to an Odessa apartment housing would-be assassins allegedly working under Doku Umarov, a Chechen terrorist leader, the New York...