Monitor ISSUE 32
Pro-Kremlin commentators hail Putin’s re-election as blow to West While Islamic State’s brutal attack on a concert venue near Moscow only days after the election may have suggested otherwise, President Vladimir Putin remains very much in control. His re-election was hailed by pro-Kremlin commentators as a blow to the West, while independent Russian commentators drew parallels between Putin and late Turkmen dictator Saparmurat Niyazov. Russia specialist Yaroslava Kiryukhina reports. Putin speaks at press conference in his campaign headquarters in March
President Vladimir Putin’s widely expected election victory predictably sparked jubilation and early congratulations from Russian top officials and pro-Kremlin commentators.
“Putin’s Russia … turned out to be unsinkable”
Putin secured a fifth term in office with 87.28% of the vote, according to the final results announced on 21 March.
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PHOTO BY CONTRIBUTOR/GETTY IMAGES
“Putin’s victory in the elections is a victory for all citizens of our country. The elections showed the consolidation of society, as well as the highest level of trust in Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin,” Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said in a popular Telegram post (more than 870,000 views) late on 17 March.
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