CHOICES

So we had the elections. The Pro-Putin United Russia party trounced everybody, as predicted. Putin's puppet national socialist 'Homeland' party stole enough votes away from the communists to give him the two-thirds support he needs to change the consititution. There's no longer any liberal representation in the Duma as both the liberal parties fell just under the required 5% threshold. Allegations of vote fixing and ballot stuffing are rife, both here and abroad, though here it's just coming from the communists, the only opposition with any teeth left. They've even been arguing the case for the liberals, their natural enemies.

But hey, nearly every Russian I've spoken to is pleased as punch. Their leader has more strength than ever; strength enough to push through any changes he wants. I don't think Russia really understands the role of a political opposition. Most of the Russians I come into contact with on a day to day basis are atypical of the nation as a whole: they're young, educated, westernised, and cosmopolitan. Yet nearly all of them voted for United Russia. Ask them why, and most parrot: "They're a strong party. A united Russia is a strong Russia." I tell you, it's seriously scary. I think that, if Putin has previously appeared as a very moderate leader, it is because he has been held in check by the remnants of Yeltsin's supporters, known as 'The Family'. This set of elections has seen The Family lose the last of its influence and power.

Putin now controls: the presidency, the Duma, the security forces (including the FSB), all television channels, and most printed media. He has enormous influency on the judiciary, and the Duma itself is a coalition of aggressive nationalists.

But at least I'm not in Amerika.