“This start of 2024 must be, for us, that of a start”: Emmanuel Macron affirmed Thursday that Europeans must be ready to “respond” to an “escalation” by Russia, judging that it “does not” will not stop there” if it wins the war in Ukraine, but assured that they would never take the “initiative” of military engagement against this nuclear power.
“If Russia were to win, the lives of the French would change. We would no longer have security in Europe. Who can think for a single second that President Putin, who has respected none of his limits and none of his commitments, would stop there? The security of Europe and the security of the French is at stake there. If Russia wins this war, Europe’s credibility will be reduced to zero,” he declared Thursday evening to the 8 p.m. television news on TF1 and France 2.
The head of the Kremlin assured of being re-elected
In this context of tensions, the first polling stations opened in the Russian Far East for a three-day presidential election which should see Vladimir Putin reappointed for a new six-year term, due to the lack of a real opposition which was deprived of the vote. Despite this lack of suspense in the result, local authorities are concerned about the smooth running of a vote that has become a boon for the Kremlin’s adversaries.
Call to order from Vladimir Putin
In Ryazan, south of Moscow, the war was still felt 48 hours ago, while the government says it guarantees normal life, especially when going to vote. Military incursions carried out by Russian opponents are also worrying. “We, citizens of Russia, have the right to participate in this election and therefore we are starting to participate in it.”
Russians active against Vladimir Putin, another form of destabilization during an election period. The parades of people paying tribute to Alexei Navalny showed that the courage to oppose could still exist in Russia. Even a measured threat, which justified a call to order on Thursday from Vladimir Putin. “It’s not just about voting, but about clearly expressing your personal desire to participate in the future development of Russia. Because elections are a step towards the future,” he thundered. In this strange climate, hundreds of thousands of police officers and members of the FSB are mobilized to minimize or conceal any irregularities that could hamper the plebiscite that Vladimir Putin is awaiting.