Russia Feature: Renewed Protests Against Putin... But Will the "Dear" Leader Hang On? (Rojansky and Soloveitchik/O'Flynn)
Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 0:34A campaign video by Wake up Russia (@WakeUpR) with citizens holding banners stating their names and calling for fair elections.
Large protests are anticipated across Russia today, two weeks after tens of thousands took to the streets to demonstrate against alleged election fraud. More than 50,000 activists have signed up to the Facebook page organising the event, The public will behind the protest remains to be seen, however, and Russian media has withheld news of the planned marches and --- in notable contrast to the clamour which met events on 10 December 10 --- so has Western media.
Whilst hopes are strong amongst many protesters and some commentators that these actions may initiate a radical overhaul of the Putin government, Russian analysts remain cautious. Matthew Rojansky explores the realpolitik behind the headlines and Western projections.
At the same time the passion and social media savvy of many young Russians has proven fertile ground for networks of support to emerge and strengthen. Writing for The Moscow Times, Rina Soloveitchik and Kevin O'Flynn highlight the central battleground of Twitter as a medium for key opposition news and opinion, as well as for regime misinformation and mischief: