Following Vladimir Putin’s win with 88% of the vote in the Russian presidential election, UK Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron and UK officials have labeled the election as lacking legitimacy due to the absence of genuine opposition and independent monitoring.
UK Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron and other UK officials have criticized the recent Russian presidential election, where Vladimir Putin won approximately 88% of the vote, as not being free or fair. Concerns were raised about the lack of genuine opposition, with prominent challengers to Putin being barred from the race, and the absence of independent monitoring and OSCE observers. The election’s credibility was further questioned due to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and the lack of a competitive democratic process.
In the UK, Russian nationals protested the election results and Putin’s regime through spoiled ballots and demonstrations, including a “Noon Against Putin” event in London organized by the Russian Democratic Society. These protests coincided with widespread dissent in Russia and abroad, with thousands of Russians denouncing Putin’s authoritarian rule and the handling of the war in Ukraine.
The election saw Putin seeking a fifth term, amidst allegations of electoral fraud and a heavily controlled campaign against any opposition. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, notably participated in the protests, signaling opposition to Putin’s anticipated victory. Despite the protests, over 80 people were arrested across Russia for their involvement in anti-Putin demonstrations.
Putin’s victory, amid accusations of it being a sham election, has been met with international criticism, including from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who condemned Putin’s unchecked authority. The election’s legitimacy has been broadly questioned, with opposition figures and critics highlighting the orchestrated nature of Putin’s win, which extends his rule until at least 2030.
