Putin vs. Putin: Polls suggest even loyalists desire change in Russia's leadership.

In the aftermath of russia’s latest round of one-sided “presidential elections,” Kremlin authorities presented the public with results similar to those seen in places like North Korea — 87% in favor of the dear leader, at least officially. Yet pinpointing the true extent of support for Putin among Russians actually presents a challenge, as conventional opinion polls lose relevance when society is in the grip of a military dictatorship. However, researchers of public sentiment have observed a fascinating trend: when asked to envision the ideal leader for their country, even Russians who express staunch loyalty to the ruling regime and its policies describe someone vastly different from Putin. Moreover, when contemplating a vision of the state’s future, they advocate for a course diametrically opposed to their country’s current trajectory.

Paradoxically, even though many Russians appear loyal to the Putin regime and have accepted their lack of alternative political paths, they are not merely prepared for change — they actively desire it. This inclination may not be readily apparent to external observers and currently holds no capacity to influence the political process in the country. However, its existence indicates that if circumstances were to arise in which such changes could be enacted, people would offer them decisive support.

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