Comments on: Let the Games Begin! http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/ Russia Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:04:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Lex Libertas » New Parliamentary Elections Based on Proportional Representation http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-6347 Lex Libertas » New Parliamentary Elections Based on Proportional Representation Mon, 03 Sep 2007 15:17:46 +0000 http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/#comment-6347 [...] date for Parliamentary elections in Russia has been set for December 1st. Sean summarizes: Russia’s Duma is based on proportional representation. For parties to gain seats they must get [...] [...] date for Parliamentary elections in Russia has been set for December 1st. Sean summarizes: Russia’s Duma is based on proportional representation. For parties to gain seats they must get [...]

]]> By: Michael Averko http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-6346 Michael Averko Mon, 03 Sep 2007 15:03:39 +0000 http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/#comment-6346 It's an ongoing process with ups and downs. As Brezinski and McFaul stated: in the long run Russia will be okay. I wonder if they understand that Russian opposition to UR will be something different from their desired Russians. It’s an ongoing process with ups and downs. As Brezinski and McFaul stated: in the long run Russia will be okay.

I wonder if they understand that Russian opposition to UR will be something different from their desired Russians.

]]> By: Sean http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-6344 Sean Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:48:58 +0000 http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/#comment-6344 <i>Should read as “Just Russia”.</i> Correction made! There is no doubt in my mind that election fraud is mostly local. And it is mostly a problem for the Communists. But I think that United Russia is damned if they do, damned if they don't on the election fraud front. They will win anyway and thus have no incentive rather than simply increasing the margin. But even if they don't stuff the ballot box, they will be accused of it anyway since Russia's other parties rather blame them rather than themselves. Even if electoral fraud does occur, making it the sole reason why United Russia will come out on top won't mitigate the fact that they were going to win anyway our of sheer popularity. One day Russia's other parties will have to ask the question about their sinking popularity simply out of sheer political survival. Should read as “Just Russia”.

Correction made!

There is no doubt in my mind that election fraud is mostly local. And it is mostly a problem for the Communists.

But I think that United Russia is damned if they do, damned if they don’t on the election fraud front. They will win anyway and thus have no incentive rather than simply increasing the margin. But even if they don’t stuff the ballot box, they will be accused of it anyway since Russia’s other parties rather blame them rather than themselves. Even if electoral fraud does occur, making it the sole reason why United Russia will come out on top won’t mitigate the fact that they were going to win anyway our of sheer popularity. One day Russia’s other parties will have to ask the question about their sinking popularity simply out of sheer political survival.

]]> By: Michael Averko http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-6343 Michael Averko Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:13:30 +0000 http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/#comment-6343 Excerpted from the above post of Sept. 2: "There are fifteen parties listed as eligible, but according to polls, only United Russia, Just Russian, the Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party will win enough votes to gain seats." *** Should read as "Just Russia". Note how that **** "db" didn't point this out. Excerpted from the above post of Sept. 2:

“There are fifteen parties listed as eligible, but according to polls, only United Russia, Just Russian, the Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party will win enough votes to gain seats.”

***

Should read as “Just Russia”. Note how that **** “db” didn’t point this out.

]]> By: Michael Averko http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-6342 Michael Averko Mon, 03 Sep 2007 13:53:18 +0000 http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/#comment-6342 Pardon the hiccup. Some hard kvas at an end of summer party. Nothing like what Hitchens downs on a regular basis. Pardon the hiccup. Some hard kvas at an end of summer party. Nothing like what Hitchens downs on a regular basis.

]]> By: Michael Averko http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-6341 Michael Averko Mon, 03 Sep 2007 13:36:56 +0000 http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/#comment-6341 Awhile back, Leon Aron said that the padding of the last Russian presidential election (won by Putin regardless) wasn't at the Kremlin's doing. Rather, it was some of the the local politicos trying to show their loyalty. Awhile back, Leon Aron said that the padding of the last Russian presidential election (won by Putin regardless) wasn’t at the Kremlin’s doing. Rather, it was some of the the local politicos trying to show their loyalty.

]]> By: Chrisius Maximus http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-6334 Chrisius Maximus Mon, 03 Sep 2007 13:02:05 +0000 http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/#comment-6334 Vote fraud is mostly a problem for the Communists... Actually I do not think there is much fraud on the high level of politics. It's more a local thing. There wouldn't be much point in United Russia rigging, say, the parliamentary election, since they're in all likelihood going to get the most votes anyway. Vote fraud is mostly a problem for the Communists…

Actually I do not think there is much fraud on the high level of politics. It’s more a local thing. There wouldn’t be much point in United Russia rigging, say, the parliamentary election, since they’re in all likelihood going to get the most votes anyway.

]]> By: Owen http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-6323 Owen Mon, 03 Sep 2007 10:05:23 +0000 http://seansrussiablog.org/2007/09/02/let-the-games-begin/#comment-6323 I've thought for some time now that if the liberals can't pull themselves together to break the minimum threshold, they deserve what they get. Yes, voter fraud and intimidation are problems. Yes, those in power make it very difficult and even dangerous for anyone who wants to challenge the established order. Of course, Russian apathy and fatalism is perhaps the biggest problem facing the country. But if the leaders of SPS and Yabloko insist on working separately, then they only prove that are not actually capable of governing, and shouldn't be voted for anyways. I’ve thought for some time now that if the liberals can’t pull themselves together to break the minimum threshold, they deserve what they get. Yes, voter fraud and intimidation are problems. Yes, those in power make it very difficult and even dangerous for anyone who wants to challenge the established order. Of course, Russian apathy and fatalism is perhaps the biggest problem facing the country. But if the leaders of SPS and Yabloko insist on working separately, then they only prove that are not actually capable of governing, and shouldn’t be voted for anyways.

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