“Be sure to take part in the“ smart vote ”,” said an appeal by the Kremlin opponent on Instagram. Voters are called upon to cast votes other than the Kremlin Party candidates in order to break the monopoly of power held by United Russia.
In a survey by the Russian polling institute FOM, 27 percent of those questioned said they wanted to vote for United Russia in the Duma elections from September 17th to 19th. “Before the last vote for the State Duma that was 44 percent,” said Navalny’s message. The Kremlin Party, supported by President Vladimir Putin, wants to defend its absolute majority in parliament in the election.
In contrast, Nawalny’s team said there was a chance to significantly weaken the party. “We can do it, we are more,” said Navalny’s colleague Vladimir Milov in a program broadcast on YouTube on Tuesday evening. “The party of crooks and thieves has recorded a historical minimum of its popularity.” The opposition around Navalny has been classified by the authorities as extremist and not allowed to vote.
Shortly before the polls, when the ballot papers have been printed, Nawalny’s team wants to use an app to make specific election recommendations for individual candidates. “We have to minimize the result of United Russia, which means that you should vote for every party among those who will cross the five percent hurdle,” said Leonid Volkov last week on the meduza.io portal.