6th February 2008
World enthralled by Russian non-Election
The Kremlin, target of the one-horse race |
Pushing aside articles on the US election, massacres in Kenya and Madeleine McCann, newspapers, television and online sites are dedicated swathes of space to the excitement of the non-election.
Authoritarian
Focus is on Dmitry Medvedev, the man hand-picked by current Russian president Vladimir Putin to be his successor, has not been going on the campaign trail to garner support, and his non-rivals.
News reports have shown thousands of people staying in their homes as the 'vibrancy of authoritarianism' means that few are aware that they have the right to elect a successor.
Writertarian
Pundit and rent-a-gob David Cannadine said: "This non-race only gets more exciting as more and more candidates drop out.
"Whether it is because of intimidation by the security services, harassed by the police on made-up charges, or forced to pull out due to rigging of election laws, there really is everything to play for in the race for the Kremlin."
Leftorium
He cited the case of Mikhail Kasyanov, expelled from the race in January after it was claimed that some of the signatures on his bid campaign was faked, as 'example of non-democracy in action'.
Current president Vladimir Putin is prevented from running owing to 'arcane' constitutional laws, meaning that the hugely popular politician cannot run "for now".
This had contributed to the excitement that it was "anyone's race, as long as our dear leader approves of him".
Authoritarian
Focus is on Dmitry Medvedev, the man hand-picked by current Russian president Vladimir Putin to be his successor, has not been going on the campaign trail to garner support, and his non-rivals.
News reports have shown thousands of people staying in their homes as the 'vibrancy of authoritarianism' means that few are aware that they have the right to elect a successor.
Writertarian
Pundit and rent-a-gob David Cannadine said: "This non-race only gets more exciting as more and more candidates drop out.
"Whether it is because of intimidation by the security services, harassed by the police on made-up charges, or forced to pull out due to rigging of election laws, there really is everything to play for in the race for the Kremlin."
Leftorium
He cited the case of Mikhail Kasyanov, expelled from the race in January after it was claimed that some of the signatures on his bid campaign was faked, as 'example of non-democracy in action'.
Current president Vladimir Putin is prevented from running owing to 'arcane' constitutional laws, meaning that the hugely popular politician cannot run "for now".
This had contributed to the excitement that it was "anyone's race, as long as our dear leader approves of him".
