During more than two decades in power, Vladimir Putin’s government has developed a blueprint for winning elections and suppressing dissent. He became interim president when Boris Yeltsin resigned on December 31, 1999 and won elections the following year. He has already been Russia’s leader longer than any other leader except Joseph Stalin. Later in March, he is expected to win the votes to win his fifth presidential term in a staged election, which no one doubts he will win.
From the manipulation of public opinion through state television and propaganda, to widespread allegations of electoral fraud, to the elimination of prominent opposition politicians such as Alexei Navalny, Andrew Roth, correspondent from the Guardian in Russia, explains the Kremlin science behind Putin’s victories – and why: despite his certainty of success, holding elections remains so important