As expected, following a three day ‘vote’, Vladimir Putin has once again crowned himself president of Russia.
As of 9 a.m. Moscow time, according to the central electoral commission, 99.7 per cent of ballot papers had been counted with Putin claiming 87 per cent of the vote – higher than he’s managed in any other previous election. That didn’t stop Putin calling a press conference on Sunday evening – when supposedly just 40 per cent or so of the vote had been counted – to declare himself the victor.
As his gloating press conference showed, Putin considers the democratic charade of the past three days to have been a success
Putin’s press conference was extraordinary, not just because he’d clearly dropped the pretence of the result still being unknown.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in