Navalny’s Wife Casts Vote in Berlin
Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of the late Russian opposition member Alexei Navalny, arrived at the Russian embassy in Berlin on Sunday to participate in Russia’s presidential election. She was greeted with cheers from the crowd as she joined them outside the polling station on the final day of voting.
Protests and Demonstrations
A large group of people had gathered outside the embassy following calls for midday protests against President Vladimir Putin. Exiled Navalny supporters streamed footage of protests both inside Russia and abroad on YouTube.
Opposition Calls for Action
Ruslan Shaveddinov of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation emphasized the message of unity against Putin’s regime, stating, “Our victory is that we, the people, defeated fear and solitude – showing the world that Putin does not represent Russia.”
Voter Turnout and Protests
Opposition leaders urged people to spoil their ballots or vote against Putin. Similar queues were observed outside polling stations in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The exact number of participants in the protests remains unknown due to tight security measures.
Voter Turnout Data
According to the Central Election Commission, voter turnout in the Russian presidential election reached 65.05% by midday on Sunday. This figure has already surpassed the record set in 2018, as reported by TASS.
Putin’s Expected Victory
With the election underway, Putin is expected to secure another term, solidifying his power in Russia. If successful, he will become the country’s longest-serving leader in over two centuries, surpassing Josef Stalin.