Moscow government strong-arming local elections
Protests have returned – albeit modestly – to Moscow’s streets during the last two weeks. They have not attracted much international attention because of their relatively low numbers (a couple of thousand attended on July 14). However, as the authorities failed to control protesters, on July 22 a large meeting in Sakharov Square - where a major anti-Putin took place in 2012 - gathered approximately 20,000 people. That makes these the most important demonstrations to take place in the capital since those of 2011-2013. On Friday, July 26, raids were made on some liberal and independent candidates for the Moscow City Parliament, the elections for which are set for September this year; another protest is taking place over the weekend.
Although we do not see this as a symptom of change, it is still a political event of some note – discontent from a section of society that seeks to exercise political rights. This is most vocalized by a fairly provocative fringe opposition.
Moscow is not representative of Russia as a whole, but it is a trendsetter. The city government, somewhat proud, and loathe to turn to the federal government to “bail it out” politically, has nonetheless underestimated the willingness of the capital to test electoral rights – even though the living standards in the capital have improved in recent years. While it is the liberal opposition often linked to supporters abroad – including both western societies, as well as exiled Russians – that is doing the testing, the response from the Moscow authorities is still heavy-handed and shows a disregard for electoral protocol.
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