Ever since Putin and his cronies announced his presidency, Putin's opposition has taken some time off to think. Since trying to beat him in an election didn't work, they are considering "more pragmatic methods."
Saturday, 20,000 peaceful protesters held a rally, chanting "RUSSIA WITHOUT PUTIN!" Although they were angry, the mood was somber and the protesters left with no clear plan of action.
Unlike the success of the Arab Spring, the movement to overthrow Putin in Russia has not been able to spread anywhere outside of Moscow, establish a strong leader, or crack the unjust system.
Regardless of the outrage, Russian stocks and the ruble rose in trading today, due to what analysts are calling a lower perceived risk of political uncertainty and instability.
However, it is clear that middle-class citizens are angry and are demanding greater political openness in larger numbers than ever before. Many people believe that even if there was no cheating or fraud involved in the elections, Putin would have won anyway, saying that most Russian citizens do not have the right mentality right now.
State-controlled radio and television stations are also showing evidence of a gradual change, reporting on rallies and political events very straightforwardly.
"I felt a new attitude, new energy," crime novelist and protest leader Grigory Chkhartishvili wrote in his blog. "There were a lot of new people on the stage who spoke without tedious bravado, without demands for an immediate victory of the forces of good over the forces of evil."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303717304577275373135551522.html
Saturday, 20,000 peaceful protesters held a rally, chanting "RUSSIA WITHOUT PUTIN!" Although they were angry, the mood was somber and the protesters left with no clear plan of action.
Unlike the success of the Arab Spring, the movement to overthrow Putin in Russia has not been able to spread anywhere outside of Moscow, establish a strong leader, or crack the unjust system.
Regardless of the outrage, Russian stocks and the ruble rose in trading today, due to what analysts are calling a lower perceived risk of political uncertainty and instability.
However, it is clear that middle-class citizens are angry and are demanding greater political openness in larger numbers than ever before. Many people believe that even if there was no cheating or fraud involved in the elections, Putin would have won anyway, saying that most Russian citizens do not have the right mentality right now.
State-controlled radio and television stations are also showing evidence of a gradual change, reporting on rallies and political events very straightforwardly.
"I felt a new attitude, new energy," crime novelist and protest leader Grigory Chkhartishvili wrote in his blog. "There were a lot of new people on the stage who spoke without tedious bravado, without demands for an immediate victory of the forces of good over the forces of evil."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303717304577275373135551522.html
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