Thousands of Russians joined hands on Sunday to form a ring around Moscow in protest against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's bid for a new term as president in elections on March 4.
The President of Russia is Vladimir Vladamirovich Putin. It is true that today he is technically the prime minister, and that his re-election to the Kremlin is due on March 4th, but in the hearts and minds of Russians he already has the title. However, for the first time, Putin faces growing opposition. Eve Irvine and James André went to find out just how widespread that opposition is.
They say it’s now a multipolar world but East v West comparisons creep often into conversation when you discuss Moscow’s foreign policy. François Picard’s panel looks at Russia’s insistence on arming Syria and its more nuanced view of Iran.
They say it’s now a multipolar world but East vs West comparisons creep often into conversation when you discuss Moscow’s foreign policy. François Picard’s panel looks at Russia’s insistence on arming Syria and its more nuanced view of Iran.
In an apparent response to recent protests, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin acknowledged in an article published Monday that Russia must “renew the mechanisms of its democracy”, but added it could not copy a foreign model.
Could the Kremlin be abandoned by the Russian Orthodox Church? When ordinary Russians began protesting against the Kremlin last year, Patriarch Kirill spoke of revolutions triggering a "blood bath". The Church tried to dissuade protesters from taking to the streets and openly supported the Kremlin. But now the wind seems to be changing...
Pro-Kremlin activists try, and fail, to smear an opposition figure’s reputation. Protesters in Germany are calling for President Christian Wulff’s resignation. And the Israeli authorities are using Facebook to advertise an anti-drug campaign.
It's 20 years to the day since the Soviet Union was officially dissolved. But to mark the anniversary there were neither commemorations nor speeches. The mood in Russia is one of defiance. Never since Vladimir Putin came to power 12 years ago, has he faced such strong opposition. On Saturday the protest movement gathered tens of thousands of people in Moscow. Is this the beginning of a new era, in which Vladimir Putin no longer reigns supreme?
It's 20 years to the day since the Soviet Union was officially dissolved. But to mark the anniversary there were neither commemorations nor speeches. The mood in Russia is one of defiance. Never since Vladimir Putin came to power 12 years ago, has he faced such strong opposition. On Saturday the protest movement gathered tens of thousands of people in Moscow. Is this the beginning of a new era, in which Vladimir Putin no longer reigns supreme?
The protest movement against Vladimir Putin's hold on politics gathers momentum in Russia. Next, France is given the cold shoulder by Turkey over a bill that would criminalise genocide denial. Finally, the Royal Ballet School in England tries to show young people that anyone can become a dancer.
