Russia set to re-elect Putin

Go Putin! You. Can surpass Stalin. Show the weak Americans how to rule with an iron fist!

What's the purpose of elections in Russia?

First of all, the article is written very polarized and not as a neutral, independent journalistic piece. Not that the Russian state scum is worthy of anything better than that, of course.

Whether or not the elections are rigged, with Putin being a public figure puppet in the hands of oligarchy, there are strata lesser humans who lack both proper education and humane morals, for whom the "strong, unyielding, evil-fighting" Putin is an idol. Because as long as such a person is seen leading the nation, their existence will be permitted and tolerated. This is the same thing that happened and keeps on going with the fall of USSR - people did not reform, they state did slightly. Even with the oligarchy scum out of the game, there is half a nation of impaired human being who either can't or do not want to lead a proper life anymore.

Is anyone even surprised by this? No, seriously?

The Russians deserve Putin.

That is true, "SuperLib". They have created their own nightmare. And many children will have to be born in it.

@bas4 Is anyone even surprised by this? No, seriously?

I agree. Look at Russian history. For centuries it was a police state ruled by czars, followed by a very brief flirtation with democracy, followed by what became a police state ruled by Stalin, followed by a brief flirtation with democracy, followed by what has become a police state ruled by Putin.

As long as they keep their police state within their borders, that's fine with me. But I do find it worrying that Putin seems to want to re-establish the empire created by the czars and re-created by Stalin.

And many children will have to be born in it.

Actually, not so many. Russia has dropped from the 4th most populous nation in 1950 to the 9th today. After falling during most of the oughts, the population stabilized over the last three years but is expected to drop again this year. This despite the fact of a relatively young median age of 38.

I, for one, welcome our new overlord.

Russia deserves Russia. It's a cesspit. Having a crap leadership is fitting.

Anyone running against Putin tends to end up badly beaten or worse, so it is hard to blame the Russian people when there isn't any other choice.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/03/23/here-are-ten-critics-of-vladimir-putin-who-died-violently-or-in-suspicious-ways/

Putin's so great, he can rig both the Russian and American election.

Funny but so sadly true. Putin and his agent Putin-lite in the USA are like body and shadow.

I, for one, welcome our new overlord.

He has been around for 18 years now but I get the intent.

Russia does not derserve Putin. The world does not deserve Putin. Like everywhere, Russia is full of sycophantic jingoist that are too easily lead... But there are some decent people there as well... And they do not deserve Putin. Still, unto countries with clout, such as the USA, stop pandering to dictators like Putin and Xi, dictators will find themselves secure in the world.

The world is stupid

Calling Putin's KGB farce an election is typical Soviet double-speak.

As is always the case Putin has no serious opposition because he "legally" intimidates anyone who might be successful against him with trumped up charges or puts them safely away in jail and if that doesn't work exterminates them.

The remaining milquetoast "opposition" is kept off the major media outlets while the state owned media constantly pounds the Russian sheep with adoring profiles of Vladimir Putin.

This is a lot of things but an "election" it is not.

Russia is angry because nobody really pays them any attention anymore. They want the West to be all afraid of them but nobody cares. If a Russian asks "What do Americans think about Russia?" the worst (though truthful) answer he can hear is "Most Americans simply don't think about Russia." He was hoping to hear "Americans are very afraid of Russia because it it so big and strong!" Russia is basically that big dumb kid in the movie Happy Gilmore who goes around school dumping milk on kids' heads saying "O'Doyle Rules!"

Russia is angry because nobody really pays them any attention anymore.

You're right, so they started trolling the world. People are paying attention now though.

Russia is basically that big dumb kid

Putin isn’t. He’s a thug but a smart and calculating thug. The leader of the bullying CCP in China is another very astute man.

Democratic countries need to start upping their quality and stop electing preposterous circus clowns spouting ignorant trash and bought-and-paid-for jellyfish politicians who can’t even run their own parties.

Putin isn’t. He’s a thug but a smart and calculating thug.

He's as evil a man as the world knows, but he's also, as you say, smart and calculating. He's managed to divide the US with a few million dollars and some facebook posts, and he's killed people in public in another country, and will get away with it with little more than a slap on the wrist.

The scary thing is that he owns Trump, and therefore controls the most powerful military and economy in the world.

Rise the King of Putinistan. Devine right to be dear leader in the Putinocracy. Saggy man boobs 4 eva.

How low was the turnout ?

The Russians deserve Putin.

Just like one half of the Americans did! Bwah ha ha!

Excellent news.