Putin Protests

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So last time I wrote about the problem with immigration into Russia and about how Putin promised to make stricter legislation if reelected. Obviously, we all know Putin's history of rigging elections so there is no doubt that he will win the next election.

However, Russian citizens are beginning to catch on and are getting tired of his grip on power.

Anti-Putin protesters stood out in extremely cold weather, approximately negative nineteen degrees Celsius, to let Putin know they want him out of power and they are demanding fair elections. A Pro-Putin group has also formed, but what is interesting is that Russians are being FORCED to go to Pro-Putin rallies; workers are threatened by employers that they will lose their job if they do not attend the Pro-Putin rallies.

Not only that, but Moscow police are even fudging the numbers for how many protesters show up to each rally--not the smartest move on Putin's part considering citizens are already mad at him for rigging things. Anyway, police report the number of attendees at the Anti-Putin rallies as being much lower than they actually were and they report the number of attendees at the Pro-Putin rallies as much much higher than they actually are.

Putin addressed the Anti-Putin organizations and told them that he was glad they are sharing their perspectives and also encouraged them to dress warm. This seems a little condescending because I don't think he cares about their perspectives enough to give up power and give an honest election. I personally don't think this movement will have enough of an effect to change Putin's ways.

But what do you think? Will the protesters have any influence? Do you think they have/would be able to acquire any evidence that Putin actually does rig elections? Will Putin ever get out of power? If Putin did get out of power, do you think honest elections would even be granted then?