RUSSIA: Voters in Moscow give their opinion as they cast their ballots for Russia's next president

Record ID: 327727

  • Title: RUSSIA: Voters in Moscow give their opinion as they cast their ballots for Russia's next president
  • Date: 5th March 2012
  • Summary: VOTERS ENTERING POLLING STATION (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) NIKOLAI, MOSCOW VOTER, SAYING: "I voted for Prokhorov because he's the only one who doesn't make promises - mountains of gold. He talks about what's real in the country and what to expect. And everyone else just makes promises, especially Mr. Putin who has made so many promises with no point." VARIOUS VOTERS AT POLLING STATION BALLOTS IN BOX VARIOUS VOTERS AT POLLING STATION
  • Embargoed: 20th March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Russian Federation
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADN8BSCN5R7RHVNJFJZ83MOOXU
  • Story Text: Voters in Russia's capital city seemed to be divided over how they cast their ballots on Sunday as they exited poll stations for Russia's presidential election.
    One voter said she made her choice, hoping for stability in Russia.
    "What do I expect? A bright future for our children - that's the most important, also peace, honestly, stability," Moscow voter Karina told Reuters.
    Other voters said they were searching for any alternative to Vladimir Putin, who is seeking a third term as president.
    "I didn't want to vote for Putin, because I've never voted for him, and in general I don't like any of those (presidential candidates) who are on the list, but I'm against that shameless announcement that was made (that Putin and Medvedev are switching places). In my time I voted for (Communist leader) Zyuganov - let's say (I just voted) against Putin," Moscow voter Lev Grigorievich told Reuters.
    Another Muscovite said he had voted Communist as an alternative.
    "I voted for Zyuganov, he's just had some experience with government projects and he understands that our money is not being used effectively now. I don't really like Zyuganov, but at least it's some kind of alternative," Muscovite voter Peter told Reuters.
    Zyuganov's Communist party has enjoyed a surge of popularity, doubling its vote to about 20 percent in Russia's recent parliamentary elections. The memories of repression in the Soviet Union, the labour camps and the regimentation are still fresh for many people but still, some voters intend to cast their ballots for the present-day Communists as a protest vote against Putin's United Russia party.
    Some, however, were eager to see Russia's current Prime Minister return to the country's top office.
    "Well, naturally (I voted) for Putin, for stability. He, after all, knows what he's doing - some people like that and some people don't," one Moscow voter, Nikolai, said.
    Other Muscovites said that they had voted for Russian billionaire and New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov.
    "We voted for Mikhail Prokhorov. We think that there needs to be a change in power and a new person , an entrepreneur. We want him to be president," one voter, Ilya, said.
    "I voted for Prokhorov because he's the only one who doesn't make promises - mountains of gold. He talks about what's real in the country and what to expect. And everyone else just makes promises, especially Mr. Putin who has made so many promises with no point," another Muscovite, Nikolai, told Reuters.
    Prokhorov has found a following among young urban voters, many of whom are fed up with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has been in power for the past 12 years.
    Recent polls have suggested that Putin will win upcoming elections with 63-66 percent of the vote, far ahead of his closest rival, Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, who will win 15 percent of the vote.
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