Kremlin's annoucement puts political process back on shaky ground


The Russia political process is looking a bit shaky.  A recent announcement by officials says that there were problems with about a quarter of the 2 million signatures that Liberal Opposition leader Grigory Yavlinsky gathered in order to run. 

Why is this such a big deal?  Well, on one hand it hardly looks as if Yavlinsky has a chance of winning, not if current polls are correct.  But barring him from running could help Putin avoid the run-off he might face if there are too many candidates involved in the election.

But perhaps the biggest reason why this is a problem is that it’s a real slap in the face to all of the demonstrators and protestors that have been demanding fair elections in the wake of the December reactions to Russia’s Duma election.  And with the Russian public already up in arms the Kremlin should probably step carefully around this potential new scandal.


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