That majority is a reminder of the suffocating grip that Mr. Putin and his coterie have on the democratic process. Russia’s most prominent opposition figure, Alexei Navalny, was barred from contesting the election, which rendered the presidential race a formality for the re-coronation of Mr. Putin. In the short term, Mr. Putin succeeded in creating the impression that Russia is back on the global stage. Mr. Putin has turned to China in recent years, signing a 30-year, $400-billion gas agreement, and enhancing cooperation on contentious global issues such as Iran, Syria and North Korea. As he begins another term, Mr. Putin’s Russia looks increasingly like a managed dictatorship with a troubled economy and dwindling influence.

Source: The Hindu May 08, 2018 18:33 UTC