Russian presidential election, 2004
The presidential election in Russia 2004 was held on 14 March and was held under the sign and the dominance of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
His five opposition candidates were largely unknown, so that a great victory of the incumbent was expected. The only concern the power-holders was too low voter turnout, because at a rate of less than 50% of the election would have been invalid. In the western states were considered the Russians continue to face a lack of understanding of democracy. But about noon informed the Election Committee in Moscow, the turnout was higher than in good weather in the parliamentary election in 2003 from last December.
According to the preliminary official results for the incumbent voted 71.2 percent of voters. In second place was erected by the Communists candidate Nikolai Kharitonov was 15 percent. 4.1 per cent of the electorate voted in a special feature of the Russian electoral law "against all candidates".
In Chechnya agreed under massive security precautions, according to the Central Election Commission, 93 % of those eligible for Putin, the turnout was over 90 %.
The chief election observers of the OSCE, Julian Peel Yates, criticized the elections as only partially democratic. The chairman of the OSCE Beobachterkommison missed the "necessary principles for a healthy electoral process ." A political debate in the run- have not just taken place, as it was difficult for Putin's opponents massively to find access to the mass media. The then U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed concern about "the level of authoritarianism " and said on election day to the lack of equal opportunities for candidates in the media, in terms of democracy, the government could " do a better job ."
Coinciding with the announcement of the first intermediate result at 19:30 clock fell into Moscow a cultural exhibition complex, with over 2,000 square meters, the arena next to the Kremlin on fire. Through one door shielded tungsten halogen roof while two firefighters were killed.
Candidates
Vladimir Putin
See also Article Vladimir Putin
Ivan Rybkin
After his brief disappearance Ivan Rybkin withdrew his candidacy on March 5 back.
Nikolai Kharitonov
Candidate of the Communist Party ( KPRF )
His key policy objective is the restoration of the Soviet Union with socialism as a political and economic system. Kharitonov is Colonel of the FSB domestic intelligence and self-confessed fan of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the notorious founder of the Cheka ( forerunner of the KGB ). In 2000, Kharitonov fell on when he called for the restoration of the Dzerzhinsky monument on Lubyanka Square in front of the FSB building in Moscow.
Oleg Malyshkin
Candidate of the Liberal Democratic Party ( LDPR )
Sergei Glazyev
Sergei Glazyev ran as the candidate of the electoral alliance Rodina.
Sergei Mironov
Sergei Mironov ran as Chairman of the Federation Council and was a member of the Russian Party of Life. He repeatedly mentioned his desire for a renewed and extended term of Putin as the reason his candidacy. He repeatedly called for the election of the incumbent president.
- Brief profile of the candidate
Irina Chakamada
Union of Right Forces (SPS ). As a liberal party, this party is supported by Russian oligarchs.