There is little doubt President Vladimir Putin will win another term in office in elections this weekend.Still,the Kremlin is working hard to ensure a strong showing for the 71-year-old leader who has ruled the country for 25 years. Displays of public support are important for his legitimacy.
There is little intrigue about the outcome of Russia's elections to the Duma (the lower house of parliament) on 17-19 September. Still, in recent months, the Kremlin has dialled up various forms of political repression against opposition figures, those connected to them and independent media. Why?