This Sunday, Russians will go to voting booths and elect their representatives in the country’s parliament. I’ve been following the debates on elections here, and while there is little doubt in anyone’s mind regarding who will win, what is interesting to me is the substance of discussions and electoral slogans.
Particularly captivating is the slogan of the front-runner, United Russia party, led by President Putin. Putin’s plan is Russia’s victory – sings with these words seem to be as common here in Moscow as anything else you can think off. I asked a few people whether they could tell me anything about what it entails – and it seems that most people don’t have a clue.
Last month, Levada Center conducted a survey on this plan. Interestingly, although 65% thought that Putin does have a plan for developing the country, only 6% could explain what it really is.
But its not just United Russia. Electoral discussions overall seem to be watered down, with parties advocating for certain populist measures or simply against something – but without a concrete set of action plans or priorities. And while visiting parties’ website you can get a sense of what they stand for and what policies they may pursue, lack of concrete discussion on policy implications following the elections is hard not to notice.
Elections here, it seems, are shaping up to be more about personalities and opinions. Yet, as Russia plans on sustaining its economic revival it will certainly have to face up to developing sound growth-oriented policies. Program oriented parties, not parties of slogans and personalities, can go a long way in giving citizens the confidence that those put into public office will stay committed to the country’s sustainable development. Otherwise, aren’t we just blindly entrusting our future and writing a blank check?
Published Date: November 27, 2007