Following the death and burial of Alexei Navalny, along with other anti-Kremlin figures either exiled or imprisoned, Russia’s opposition finds itself in a weakened state.
Nevertheless, on Sunday, as Russians head to the polls, opponents of President Vladimir Putin plan a symbolic protest they hope will resonate.
Dubbed “Noon against Putin,” supporters of Navalny urge those against Putin’s leadership to visit their local polling stations precisely at midday.
They are encouraged to obtain a paper voting slip and then cast their vote in a manner that signifies protest or complicates the authorities’ control.
Putin (Credits: Radio Free Europe)
Suggestions include spoiling the ballot paper to writing “Alexei Navalny” across the voting slip. Some even consider voting for one of the three candidates opposing Putin, though they are seen as Kremlin “puppets,” aiming to diminish Putin’s vote count.
Navalny had endorsed the plan before his demise, conveyed through his lawyers on social media. The independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper hails the proposed action as “Navalny’s political testament.”
Despite expectations, even the most ardent Kremlin critics acknowledge that the protest, already labeled illegal by authorities, is unlikely to alter the inevitable outcome of Putin’s victory in the March 15-17 presidential election.
Putin (Credits: Oregon Public Broadcasting)
With control over all levers of power and state media support, Putin’s campaign emphasizes victory in the Ukraine conflict and Russia’s infrastructure modernization, asserting overwhelming public support. According to the Levada Center, Russia’s renowned pollster, Putin enjoys an 86% approval rating.
Supporters of the Sunday protest aim to boost collective morale following Navalny’s death, demonstrate solidarity among Russians opposing Putin, and showcase to the world that not all Russians endorse their leader.
Ivan Zhdanov, a Navalny ally, highlighted the significance of the action, stating, “He (Putin) will point to his 80 or 90%, but it will be possible to explain in very simple language to anyone in the world – look at the photographs, look how many people gathered at midday, despite all threats and repression, to show they are against Putin. So it’s a very important action.”
