What do Russian voters expect from their leader?
High turnout will boost the legitimacy of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s election victory.
About 110 million voters were given the chance to choose a president for Russia, and the spotlight is on one man – Vladimir Putin. He has led the country for almost two decades – either as president or prime minister.
Many voters credit Putin, a 65-year-old former KGB spy, with standing up for Russia’s interests. But others say there is no alternative.
The election comes at a time when relations with the US are compared to the Cold War and Moscow is accused of poisoning a spy in Britain.
So what do Russians expect from their leader?
Presenter: Laura Kyle
Guests:
Pavel Felgenhauer – columnist with Novaya Gazetta
Anna Borshchevskaya – fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy
James Nixey – head of the Russia and Eurasia programme at the foreign affairs think-tank, Chatham House