Putin begins to reflect on Russia in pride

moscow - The only presidential candidate in Russia who did not campaign for the Sunday elections, Vladimir Putin, apparently wins the ballot box. He has been in power for eighteen years and does not have to worry about losing it. If it is up to the current law, the last six years will be his last term.

Nearly 110 million Russians living in eleven time zones can vote for eight candidates, but seven are without prospects. Credible opposition leaders do not stand a chance, such as Aleksej Navalni who can not participate in a conviction and call a boycott. A former 'professional blonde', Ksenia Sobchak, now serves as a young champion of democracy, but her claim that Putin's time is over does not seem to be based on anything. Her time has in any case not yet come. Putin, by the way, would be her godfather.

President Putin does need a high turnout to be credible at a time when oil and gas revenues are increasingly disappointing. After the previous presidential election six years ago, a storm of protest broke out across the country against the electoral fraud with which Putin won. He has recovered from that political damage as the proud protector of the proud Russia. That Russia, in contrast to the West, is being forcefully taken over by crises such as in Crimea or Syria. In a recent speech, Putin glowed impetuously for Russia, who was insulted by the West and he threatened rancor with new nuclear missiles.

Putin is therefore still popular. He came to power as an unknown technocrat in 2000. His star rose quickly, along with that of oil prices. In the collapse of the Soviet Union, Putin guided the chaotic and destitute Russia to calmer waters. He could usher in a period of recovery and prosperity with oil money. Putin was gratefully associated with consumer items that were finally on the shelves and could be bought for a stable ruble.

But that 'Putin-time' is indeed over. Nationalism and conflicts with 'the scary foreign countries' do not hide the fact that economic growth is over for an increasing number of Russians. Incomes per household have been falling for more than four years in a row and 20 million Russians have been living on 100 euros a month. Lower oil prices hit the country because Putin never invested in other sectors to fall back on. This combined with Western sanctions that deter investors, shows pride but also sad Russia. Putin has promised to improve the quality of life in a new dynamic Russia over the next six years. Better late than never, many voters must think.