Russie : Boris Nadejdine, seul espoir de renverser Vladimir Poutine ?

LCI

28 Jan 202414:38

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses Boris Nadjdin, an obscure Russian politician running for president against Putin. Some believe Nadjdin could be a Kremlin puppet to give the illusion of democracy and boost election turnout. However, his anti-war stance is concerning the Kremlin. Opposition figures support Nadjdin, hoping he represents democratic change, but experts say he likely can't win and may just help authorities identify dissenters. His sudden prominence and lack of biography make him an intriguing placeholder for Russians seeking an alternative to Putin's regime.

Takeaways

😀 Boris Nadjdine is an opposition candidate running against Putin in the 2024 Russian presidential election
😲 Nadjdine is campaigning on a peace platform, calling for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine
🤔 Nadjdine's candidacy is seen by some as a Kremlin plot to create the illusion of democracy
😮 Nadjdine has gathered the 100,000 signatures needed to get on the presidential ballot
👀 Prominent opposition figures like Navalny back Nadjdine's candidacy
😯 Long lines formed at Nadjdine's HQ as Russians came to sign for his nomination
🤨 Many analysts believe Nadjdine has no real chance of defeating Putin
😠 The Kremlin says it does not see Nadjdine as a true rival to Putin
😕 Some think Nadjdine may be cut from the ballot before the March 17th election
😎 The Kremlin may try to manipulate the election to ensure a Putine victory

Q & A

Who is Boris Nadjdine and why is he running for president of Russia?
-Boris Nadjdine is a 60-year-old politician who has been a member of Russia's State Duma and a municipal councilor in Moscow. He is running for president as an opposition candidate, criticizing Putin's war in Ukraine and calling for peace negotiations.
What support does Nadjdine have from Russian opposition figures?
-Nadjdine has the backing of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny and other opposition figures who want to see a "free Russia" that allows free speech and can help end Russia's war in Ukraine.
Why do some people think Nadjdine's candidacy is being manipulated by Putin?
-Some speculate that Putin is allowing Nadjdine to run and speak freely to give the appearance that Russia's election is a normal democratic process with opposition candidates, thereby legitimizing Putin's expected victory.
Does Nadjdine pose a real threat to Putin's re-election?
-No, he is not seen as a true rival to Putin according to the Kremlin. His candidacy is likely useful for Putin to split the opposition vote and boost overall turnout and appearance of legitimacy.
What happens if Nadjdine's anti-war rhetoric goes too far?
-He may be disqualified by Russia's Central Election Commission before the vote, just as prior opposition candidate Ekaterina Dunsova was ejected for her anti-war stances.
Could Nadjdine be a "useful" opposition figure for Putin's purposes?
-Yes, the Kremlin has a history of creating such "useful" opposition candidates for Russian elections to provide a veneer of democracy while still maintaining firm control.
What risks could there be for Russians publicly supporting Nadjdine?
-By providing their names and signatures, they risk being identified by Russia's security services and facing potential future persecution or imprisonment.
Does Nadjdine actually differentiate himself much from Putin's positions?
-Not significantly. Like Putin, he talks about the need for negotiations but does not call for an outright end to the Ukraine invasion or withdrawal of Russian troops.
Could Nadjdine be positioned as an eventual successor to Putin?
-Possibly, as a kind of "controlled opposition" figure who appears distinct from Putin but would actually maintain the current power system intact if handed power.
Is the West too naive about opposition figures in Russian politics?
-Yes, opposition candidates allowed to run in Russian elections are often tightly managed by the Kremlin and not truly independent alternatives to Putin.

Outlines

00:00

😐 Who is Boris Nadjdine, Putin's surprise opponent in the presidential election

This first paragraph introduces Boris Nadjdine, a little-known opposition figure who has managed to collect enough signatures to run against Putin in the March 2023 presidential election. It describes Nadjdine's background, including his past political roles and ties to assassinated opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. His anti-war platform opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine stands out given the Kremlin's crackdown on dissent. While some question whether he poses a real threat to Putin or is a Kremlin-approved "useful" opponent to lend legitimacy to the election, his candidacy has generated some grassroots support among Russians seeking an alternative.

05:01

😕 Is Nadjdine's candidacy manipulated by the Kremlin?

This paragraph analyzes whether Nadjdine is genuinely running against Putin or is being manipulated by the Kremlin to create the illusion of choice in the election. Experts note that the Kremlin has previously propped up "useful" opponents, and Nadjdine suspiciously secured the required signatures despite his obscurity. However, his increasingly vocal anti-war rhetoric may have gone too far for the Kremlin's comfort. Another potential replacement candidate has mysteriously obtained signatures, indicating the difficulty finding an opposition figure the Kremlin can control.

10:03

😠 Criticism of Nadjdine as indistinguishable from Putin on Ukraine

This paragraph features analysis criticizing Nadjdine as not substantively different from Putin on the war in Ukraine. While branded as the "peace candidate," experts note Nadjdine's stance mirrors the Russian position of negotiating to enforce the current front lines. Moreover, by leaving traces of their identity in supporting him, his supporters may face future persecution. Analysts see Nadjdine as a blank slate candidate aimed at garnering support through his lack of history, not the product of an authentic opposition movement.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡presidential election

The video discusses the Russian presidential election happening on March 17, 2024. Boris Nadjdin is an opposition candidate running against incumbent Vladimir Putin. His candidacy represents a rare challenge to Putin's power.

💡opposition

The political opposition in Russia refers to parties and candidates that oppose the policies of Vladimir Putin and the ruling United Russia party. Figures like Alexei Navalny support Nadjdin's anti-war platform.

💡anti-war

Nadjdin positions himself as an anti-war candidate who wants to negotiate peace with Ukraine and the West, in contrast to Putin's military intervention there.

💡signatures

In order to appear on the ballot, Russian presidential candidates must collect 100,000 signatures from citizens. Nadjdin was able to achieve this, helped by public support from opposition figures.

💡compromise

Nadjdin says he sees a chance for compromise and negotiations with Ukraine and Western leaders to resolve the war, contrasting with Putin.

💡useful opposition

Some suggest Nadjdin is a "useful" opposition figure approved by Putin to give the election a veneer of democracy and split the real opposition vote.

💡turnout

High voter turnout in the election would increase legitimacy for Putin's inevitable win. An opposition fringe candidate could help drive turnout up.

💡manipulation

Experts debate whether Nadjdin's campaign is genuine opposition or manipulation by Putin to orchestrate the appearance of democratic choice.

💡succession

One theory posed is that Putin could be grooming Nadjdin as a successor to control after stepping down, ensuring continuity of the system.

💡protest vote

Even citizens just signing for Nadjdin or voting for him may be more an expression of protest against Putin than actual support for the fringe candidate.

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