2011. Russia. 2011 Russian Elections. Part 2.
“Nizhny Novgorod. Meeting against the official results of the Russian legislative election 2011” by Bestalex under CC BY-SA 3.0.
The context of Russia's 2011 elections was marked by growing discontent among the Russian public towards the ruling regime under President Vladimir Putin. Putin, who had previously served as President from 2000 to 2008 before becoming Prime Minister due to term limits, was seeking a return to the presidency in the 2012 elections. However, there were widespread allegations of electoral fraud and corruption within the government, leading to widespread protests and demonstrations across Russia in the aftermath of the elections.
The New York Times article "On TV, Putin Is Dismissive of Critics Far and Near" published on December 15, 2011, highlighted Putin's dismissive attitude towards his critics, both domestic and international, during a televised interview. Putin downplayed the allegations of election fraud and insisted that the elections reflected the will of the people, despite widespread evidence of irregularities and manipulation. This article illustrates the growing disconnect between Putin and the protesters who were demanding fair and transparent elections.
The BBC News article "Putin: Election undoubtedly reflected public opinion," also published on December 15, 2011, reported Putin's assertion that the election results were a true reflection of public opinion. However, this statement was met with skepticism by many protesters and opposition groups who believed that the elections were rigged to favor Putin's party, United Russia.
The protests and demonstrations that followed the 2011 elections were significant in scale and intensity. The New York Times article "More Protests in Russia Over Alleged Election Fraud" on December 17, 2011, reported on the growing wave of protests across Russia, with thousands of people taking to the streets to express their anger and frustration over the alleged electoral fraud. The article highlighted the use of social media and technology by the protesters, who were largely young and connected, to mobilize and coordinate their actions.
The Guardian article "Russian anti-Putin protests draw thousands to Moscow again" on December 24, 2011, and the Huffington Post article "Thousands Protest In Moscow Against Election Fraud" on the same day, both reported on the massive protests in Moscow against the alleged election fraud. These protests were seen as a challenge to Putin's power and authority, as they represented a significant expression of public discontent and frustration with the state of democracy and governance in Russia.
The aftermath of the protests saw the Russian government taking various measures to suppress dissent and maintain control. The New York Times article "Architect of Russia’s Political System Under Putin Is Reassigned" on December 27, 2011, reported on the reassignment of Vladislav Surkov, a key Kremlin strategist, in an attempt to defuse the discontent and undermine the leaders of the protest movement. The article highlighted the government's efforts to control the narrative and maintain its grip on power.
However, the protests continued into 2012, as reported in The New York Times article "In Biting Cold, Protesters Pack the Center of Moscow" on February 4, 2012, and "Thousands Ring Central Moscow in Anti-Putin Protest" on February 26, 2012. These articles highlighted the determination of the protesters to continue their calls for political reform and an end to corruption despite the government's efforts to suppress dissent.
The Russian government responded to the protests with increased repression, as seen in The New York Times article "New Russian Law Assesses Heavy Fines on Protesters" on June 8, 2012, and "Raids Target Putin’s Critics Before Protest" on June 11, 2012. These articles reported on the introduction of laws imposing heavy fines on protesters and the crackdown on opposition figures, including raids and arrests, in an attempt to quell dissent and maintain Putin's grip on power.
As time went on, the protest movement lost momentum, as reported in The New York Times on March 9, 2012. Despite another planned rally, the protests waned in post-election Russia. Anti-Putin protesters struggled to maintain the same level of momentum and organization as before, and the government responded with a crackdown on dissent. In June 2012, a new law was passed imposing heavy fines on protesters, as reported by The New York Times on June 8, 2012. Raids were carried out against Putin's critics, and pro-democracy groups pulled out of Russia, as reported by Reuters on June 11 and 14, 2012 respectively.
In the following years, the protest movement further weakened, and Putin's grip on power tightened. The New York Times reported on January 5, 2013, that as Putin's control grew stronger, the time of protests in Russia faded. However, there were occasional rallies and demonstrations against the government's policies, such as the adoption ban and anti-Kremlin protests, as reported by The New York Times on January 13, 2013, and BBC News on May 6, 2013.
In hindsight, the 2011 elections and the subsequent protests marked a turning point in Russia's political landscape. The protest movement, initially sparked by allegations of election fraud, brought together a diverse group of people from different walks of life, united in their dissatisfaction with the government and demand for political change. The protests were largely peaceful and marked by the use of social media to mobilize and organize demonstrations. However, the government responded with a combination of dismissiveness, crackdowns, and fines on protesters, resulting in the weakening of the protest movement and the consolidation of Putin's power.
The aftermath of the 2011 elections also revealed the larger trends and challenges facing Russia. The government's tightening control over dissent, the suppression of pro-democracy groups, and the limitations on political freedoms raised concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Russia. The EU Court's ruling in 2017 that Putin's party rigged the elections further highlighted the issue of electoral integrity and transparency in Russia's political system. Additionally, the protests and their aftermath shed light on the generational and ideological divides in Russia, with younger and more liberal segments of the population expressing frustration with the status quo and demanding change.
In conclusion, the 2011 elections in Russia and the subsequent protests were a significant moment in the country's recent history. The allegations of election fraud sparked widespread protests across Russia, demanding political change and greater transparency. The government's response, marked by dismissiveness, crackdowns, and fines on protesters, weakened the protest movement and solidified Putin's grip on power. However, the events also highlighted larger trends and challenges facing Russia, including issues of democracy, human rights, generational divides, and electoral integrity. Despite the waning of the protest movement, the aftermath of the 2011 elections continues to shape Russia's political landscape and raises important questions about the future of democracy in the country.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on April 8, 2023
Previous: 2011. Russia. 2011 Russian Elections. Part 1.
Next: 2013. Moscow. 2013 Mayoral Election.
Putin Is A War Criminal
Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources 2011. Russia. 2011 Russian Elections. Part 2:
On TV, Putin Is Dismissive of Critics Far and Near - The New York Times December 15, 2011
Putin: Election undoubtedly reflected public opinion - BBC News December 15, 2011
Putin’s Answer to the Protests | Op-Ed - BROOKINGS December 16, 2011
More Protests in Russia Over Alleged Election Fraud - VOA News December 17, 2011
Calling for change - DW December 18, 2011
Massive Russian Protest Poses Growing Challenge to Putin - VOA News December 23, 2011
Russian anti-Putin protests draw thousands to Moscow again - The Guardian December 24, 2011
Thousands Protest In Moscow Against Election Fraud - Huffington Post December 24, 2011
Vast Rally in Moscow Is a Challenge to Putin’s Power - The New York Times December 24, 2011
Moscow protest: Thousands rally against Vladimir Putin - BBC News December 25, 2011
Russia's Medvedev Proposes Direct Elections Of Governors - RFERL January 16, 2012
Russian Liberals Growing Uneasy With Alliances - The New York Times January 28, 2012
In Biting Cold, Protesters Pack the Center of Moscow - The New York Times February 4, 2012
The Snow Revolution’s Orange Shadow - Project Syndicate February 10, 2012
Putin tells stadium rally 'battle' is on for Russia - BBC News February 23, 2012
Thousands Ring Central Moscow in Anti-Putin Protest - The New York Times February 26, 2012
Russia: Medvedev urges bold political reforms - BBC News March 6, 2012
Anti-Putin Protesters Struggle to Keep Up Steam - The New York Times March 10, 2012
Moscow Red Square opened to opposition supporters - BBC News April 8, 2012
Moscow Protesters Take Their Show on the Road - The New York Times April 14, 2012
The 2011-12 Russian Election Season in Light of Larger Trends - Wilson Center May 5, 2012
Arrests and Violence at Overflowing Rally in Moscow - The New York Times May 6, 2012
Vladimir Putin inaugurated as Russian president amid Moscow protests - The Guardian May 7, 2012
New Russian Law Assesses Heavy Fines on Protesters - The New York Times June 8, 2012
Raids Target Putin’s Critics Before Protest - The New York Times June 11, 2012
Russians turn out in their thousands to protest against Vladimir Putin - The Guardian June 12, 2012
Large Anti-Putin Protest Signals Growing Resolve - The New York Times June 12, 2012
A cable-news mystery, Russian-style - The Washington Post July 12, 2012
Russian Cable Company Suspends BBC, CNN and Bloomberg Broadcasts - Bloomberg July 12, 2012
THE RUSSIAN AWAKENING -The Carnegie Papers November 2012
Insight: Putin's Russia - more fragile than it looks - Reuters November 2, 2012
U.S. pro-democracy groups pulling out of Russia - Reuters December 14, 2012
Protesters in Moscow Stage New Demonstration - The New York Times December 15, 2012
As Putin’s Grip Gets Tighter, a Time of Protest Fades in Russia - The New York Times January 5, 2013
Moscow anti-Putin rally draws thousands - BBC News May 6, 2013
Russia Elections: Three Ways Putin Gets the Results He Wants - NBC News September 17, 2016