Dumawahl in Russland – Scheinabstimmung als Barometer der Macht
Summary
This SWR Kultur Forum episode analyzes the Russian Duma election as a sham vote serving as a power barometer for Putin. Guests Inna Hartwig, Andreas Heinemann-Grüder, and Felix Krawacek discuss the regime’s manipulation tactics, the banning of the Yabloko party, and the war’s impact on public sentiment. They examine survey data showing a gap between state-approved patriotism and private disillusionment, particularly regarding fears of partial mobilization and economic hardship. The discussion concludes that while the election legitimizes the war effort, it primarily reveals elite loyalty an…
Topics discussed
Introduction to the Russian Duma election and guests
Expectations for the election outcome and fraud concerns
Functions of elections in authoritarian regimes and elite loyalty
The banning of the Yabloko party and its implications
Public mood, lack of political venting, and elite loyalty tests
Methods of election manipulation and voter pressure
Survey on young Russians: patriotism vs. future planning
Conformity in public discourse and controlled media environment
Economic pressures and fears of partial mobilization
Migration trends to Armenia and Central Asia due to mobilization fears
State efforts to recruit soldiers and discourage university enrollment
Public attitude: rejection of death but support for war victory
Regional voting patterns and the role of opposition parties
The nature of system opposition and historical parallels
Material concerns vs. war propaganda: the fridge vs. TV
War as normality and shifting internal political accents
Nationalistic narratives and the inevitability of winning the war
Isolation from the West and the rise of techno-authoritarian ideals
Elections in occupied Ukrainian territories and international reaction
Historical volatility of Russian public opinion and potential shifts
Conclusion: Putin's use of the election and future outlook
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