Against the backdrop of the successful Ukrainian counteroffensive and local elections in Russia, there have been calls for the resignation of the Russian ruler.
“Vladimir Putin is harming the future of Russia and its people.” The petition with these words and the demand for the resignation of the Russian leader was signed by representatives of local councils throughout the Russian Federation for the third day already. The petition was signed by 65 representatives from 49 constituencies.
The author of the appeal, a municipal deputy from St. Petersburg Ksenia Torstrem, decided in this way to support her fellow deputies from Smolninskoye municipality. Last week, they called on the State Duma of the Russian Federation to impeach Putin for treason over the war against Ukraine and became defendants in defamation of the army. The court has already granted the request of the fiscal office to dissolve this municipality.
However, last week’s regional elections in Russia were clearly won by candidates from Putin’s United Russia party, according to official figures. According to observers, there is a lot of evidence that the election results were rigged. Correspondent.net got press coverage.
Silence is the most important civic duty of Russians
Salzburger Nachrichten, Austria
Local representatives are nothing more than the remnants of that hopeful young opposition, which in 2018 still acts as a united front led by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny … Perhaps, in ministries, departments and among senior officials, the enthusiasm for the political course of the head is melting states – especially about his military campaign in Ukraine.
It is possible that similar sentiments reign in the Kremlin. And, of course, there are a growing number of ordinary Russians who are completely lost. But for now, they still consider silence their first civic duty.
What is the risk for Putin?
Reuters, UK
Russian political scientist Tatyana Stanovaya believes that the greatest danger for the Kremlin lies not in the protest of the representatives itself, but in the overreaction to it.
“A reaction, or an overreaction, could cause more political damage to the regime than this petition. But I have no doubt that everyone who signed the petition is under political pressure,” Stanovaya said …
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that critical views are allowed within the law. “As long as they remain within the law, this is pluralism, but the line is very, very thin, you need to be very careful here,” he said.
There will be no putsch
Poland
The scenario of a putsch or a large-scale revolution is unlikely. In the case of growing discontent of the population, we are more likely to talk about the “transfer of power.” This step was taken by Boris Yeltsin when he appointed Putin as his successor in exchange for security guarantees.
If, due to the defeat in Ukraine, Putin decides to take a long vacation to improve his poor health, and also appoint an “acting president” (until the elections in 2024, say), then a change of power in the Kremlin would be an easy course correction. But perhaps it will be satisfactory for the West.
Who “really” betrayed Russia
Hill, USA
The petition comes as the Ukrainian military continues its counteroffensive, quickly regaining territory and in some places pushing Russian troops to the northeastern border.
The offensive’s successes have drawn domestic criticism of Putin, a rare rebuke for a longtime Russian leader who has sought to stifle opposition for years…
As Russia suffers further casualties from the Ukrainian counteroffensive, some Russian military bloggers and patriotic commentators have criticized the Kremlin for not taking more decisive action.
“The people who convinced President Putin that the operation would be quick and efficient…these people really set us all,” Boris Nadezhdin, a former member of the Russian parliament, told the NTV-run channel of the state.
The elections were rigged to avoid protests
Tages-Anzeiger, Switzerland
Independent candidates are not allowed to run. Counterfeit ballot papers are in the ballot boxes. Imaginary oppositionists create the appearance of political competition…
The results of the rigged election made the opposition look like a miserable bunch of people and try to impress everyone who disagrees with Putin’s policies with the idea that he is alone. And the extent to which it paralyzed the Russians became clearer than ever after the outbreak of war.
To whom is the initiative of the representatives aimed?
Washington Post, USA
Despite calls from some local lawmakers, it is unlikely that Russia’s parliament will proceed to impeach Putin or that such an effort will affect the war in Ukraine.
“We understand that Putin will not shed tears and stop the operation. These appeals are written for people who are still in Russia and for whom the propaganda is trying to make sure that they are a minority, that there are no people against it , ” said Nikita. Yuferev, one of the deputies from St. Petersburg.
Yuferev said that after their request went viral on Russian social media, they received a large number of letters of support from people offering anything from legal help to donations to cover the fines likely to be imposed on politicians.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.