1. Recent Elections in Russia

2. When are elections? Duma and Federation Council— Members serve 4 years
Federation council actually appointed by states
Duma—Proportional representation
President—Serves 6 year terms
Used to be 4 year terms
Putin changed it to 6 year terms starting in 2012—Led to some protests
Prime Minister—Appointed by president for as long as President and Duma want

3. 1992 &1996—Boris Yeltsin elected president
Both elections the Communist Party finished a distant 2nd place
Shock therapy & rise of oligarchy
35% of wealth is owned by ___________ people
Legislative branch— Communist Party had the most members, but no majority (24%ish)

4. 2000—Here comes Putin
Yelstin resigns in 1999, Putin serves as acting President
2000--Putin wins Presidency with 53% of vote
Commies come in 2nd—29%
Putin reaches agreement with most oligarchs—show loyalty to me, and I’ll let you keep most of your power and wealth
2002—Putin’s party, United Russia, wins in the Duma too
Still no majority (only 37%)— why not?

5. 2004 Presidential Election—Putin starts to consolidate power
Putin wins big—73%!!!
Khodorkovsky—Oligarch who donated to other parties, then was arrested for tax evasion (don’t mess with Putin)
Putin makes major changes:
2005—Governors now recommended by the President, then confirmed by state legislatures
Sets up 8 “super-governors” selected by the President
Governors removed from Federation Council

6. Governor Khodyrev, are you willing to step down if Putin asks you to?
Answer: “Of course I am, and I can explain why: If the president doesn’t trust you, then you’ll damage the region more than you’ll benefit it.”
Is Putin a president, or a dictator?

7. 2007 Duma Election United Russia wins HUGE—63% of the seats
Only won 37% in 2003—What changed?

8. 2008 Presidential Election
Putin’s term limits are up!
Is it time for Putin to step aside?!

9. 2008 Presidential Election
Dmitri Medvedev (Putin’s former PM), wins the Presidency! (71% of vote)
Commies come in 2nd—18%
Shockingly, Medvedev appoints Putin as Prime Minister
Medvedev changes the Constitution to allow for 6 year presidential terms starting in 2012
Who do you think will win in 2012…

10. 2012 Presidential Election—Putin wins!
63% vote for Putin, commies come in 2nd
Medvedev goes back to Prime Minister
Huge protests from — Russians protesting Putin’s consolidation of power
Also allegations of voter fraud in Presidential and Duma elections of 2012
Drive-by voting
Ballot stuffing
Voter intimidation

12. Putin Picture of the Day!!!

13. 2016 Duma Elections United Russia wins 54% of vote Commies come in 2nd
Lots of allegations of voter fraud

15. 2018 Presidential election
Can Putin win again???
Duh.
Main opposition candidate not allowed to run
Commies come in 2nd
Lots of allegations of ballot stuffing, etc
Putin 2024!

16. Timeline!
You have 20 minutes to work on this now. The rest is homework!
From the history and traditions and the recent elections sections, pick 6 events to make a graphic timeline of the history of Russia
Each event should have:
Title
Picture with color
Description of importance
Date