Everyone who stood against Putin was murdered or sentenced to jail. I think Mr. Putin is controlling Russia by himself.

Please show your views (reply).

Whilst there was international concern over the elections, it would seem that opponents resembling Western democratic parties simply do not have enough support.

The parties that do have serious support, (ignoring the Just Russia party which was as good as created by Putin's United Russia party), leave most observers to deduce that the West, and Russia itself, is better off with Putin.

The LPDR and Zhironovsky are imperialistic and anti-western, whilst the Communist party led by Zyuganov want to turn the clock back somewhat.

I would worry a little less about lthe state of liberty in Russia and worry alot more about the state of llibery here in the United States. With the Military Commissions Act Congress has given the president the tyrannical power to detain any person for an indefinite period of time by merely designating such a person an illegal combatant or a terrorist. The current president is claiming the power to torture persons in the custody of the United States Government if the President makes the determination that torturing that person would serve the national security interests of the United States. The President of the United States is claiming the power to easedrop, spy, and snoop on any person without judicial supervision if the president makes the determination that such easedropping, snooping, or spying is in the national security interests of the United States.
An accurate measure of the state of liberty here in the United States is reflected in the response the presidential candidates gave to the question do they think they need the permission of the Congress of the United States to attack Iran. One candidate stated that he would have to consult with his attorneys. Another candidate stated that he would consult with his generals before launching such an attack. And another candidate stated that he did not think he needed the permission of the Congress of the United States to attack Iran. The unrestricted power of the Executive Branch to wage war has long been considered a hallmark of tyrannical government. The current President of the United States seems to think the only role for Congress to play in war is to fund such wars the Executive in his infinite wisdom starts. With the Republic, the Constitution, and Liberty teetering on the brink here in the United States, to worry about the state of liberty in Russia borders on treason.
I have said it before and I will say it again the primary threat to the lives and liberties of the American people is internal not external. The people of the United States have more reason to fear than own government than terrorist, the Mullahs of Iran, or Putin. The terrorist are not the ones claiming they have right to indefinitely detain Americans without the benefit of a law court reviewing the legality of such a detention. The Mullahs of Iran are not asserting the right of the United States Government to torture those who it holds in its custody. And it is not Putin that is asserting the power to drag the American people into wars not declared by Congress as required by the Constitution of the United States.

Back to the original topic, when they elected a former KGB agent what did they really expect to happen?

Um, er, I'll have to get back to you on that, Vicki.