Professor Timothy Frye, Director of The Harriman Institute, recently discussed the March 4 Russian presidential election with The Columbia University Record. Placing the election in the context of Russian economic growth, economic inequality, corruption, and foreign relations, Frye explained that the country is as politicized as he has seen it since the early 1990's. During a recent visit, Frye said, "Many well-educated Russians who were not particularly interested in politics really made a special point to talk with me about what was going on.
Frye explained that despite a series of demonstrations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Vladimir Putin is likely to win re-election "primarily because the field is limited to people who are approved by the Kremlin. They're not going to approve any candidate who's a real threat."