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France 24
France 24
Politics
Sébastian SEIBT

‘Noon against Putin’: A small gesture and a powerful symbol of Russia’s opposition

Pro-Putin propaganda is in full swing in Russia's upcoming presidential elections. The opposition is betting heavily on the "Noon against Putin" initiative which calls for people to head to the polls in vast numbers on March 17 at 12 noon. © Gripas Yuri/Abaca via Reuters

The widow of Russia’s late opposition leader Alexei Navalny is calling on voters in the country’s presidential election to turn up at polling stations en masse at 12 noon on March 17 and either vote against Vladimir Putin or spoil their ballot. The protest action, known as “Noon Against Putin”, aims to honour Navalny’s last wishes, while illustrating the high number of voters who are against Russia’s war on Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin is hoping for record turnout in the country’s forthcoming March 15-17 elections. And now the Russian strongman, who is seeking a fifth term in office in a tightly controlled vote, might find his wish has been granted.

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