Russians in county see election in their native land differently

Published 11:02 pm Friday, February 29, 2008

From half a world away, Lake Stevens resident Anastasiya Chumova will be watching this Sunday’s election for a new Russian president.

Vladimir Putin, who is not constitutionally allowed to seek a third consecutive term, will step down. He has picked First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitriy Medvedev as his successor. Putin plans to take the post of prime minister.

According to the polls, 80 percent of voters are expected to cast their ballots for Medvedev tomorrow. But Chumova said there is different side to this story.

A Russian citizen living in the U.S. since 1994, Chumova, 24, said Putin’s infamous crackdown on Russian media and Kremlin opposition outweighs his celebrated attack on corruption.

“There is a lack of information available to the people. Russian citizens don’t understand that a lot of things are going on under the table. It’s like the Soviet era, when people couldn’t talk about the government; the fact is, it still goes on,” Chumova said.

“People generally think Putin made Russia better, but I don’t believe it. People in Russia almost need to be fooled into believing life is getting better simply because it’s what they are used to. Russia is progressing into an authoritarian regime without people even realizing it.”

In the wake of anti-Kremlin arrests and several unsolved murders of journalists, critics argue that the election, lacking adequate debate or opposition, will be unfair.

Another Russian citizen said while there is no doubt the Kremlin suppresses speech, human-rights violations are exaggerated by the opposition.

“I’ve been to Russia a few times during the time Putin was president. There’s been a whole lot of good done since then,” said Vlad Zhidkov of Lynnwood.

Zhidkov, 28, who has lived in the U.S. since 1997, said he thinks Putin has been a good president overall. “He’s too ruthless for my taste — or that of Americans — but it’s OK to be like that since he has his hands full with corruption.

“Putin brought stability. He’s a very intelligent guy who does a lot of stuff for the country and people see it and appreciate it.”

While critics argue that the Russian economy is on the rise in spite of Putin’s policies, Zhidkov said Putin’s power in the international community has strengthened it.

Despite differences in opinion, Chumova and Zhidkov said they are both optimistic and want to see things change.

“People are struggling so much — it’s a perpetual cycle — but they are trying to be optimistic. I do want to go back someday and I’m hoping people will take a stand,” Chumova said.

Zhidkov said he thinks it’s normal for a country to struggle a time of change. “Russia is going to find its place — and not as a totalitarian regime, but in the democratic sphere. It takes time. People are learning about freedoms like free speech. They aren’t going to want to give it up.”

Although he is living in America, Zhidkov said he will cast his vote this Sunday like millions of other Russian citizens.