Cancelling elections is an impossible scenario for Putin, because his entire legitimacy rests on them. I do not much like that word, but in this case it fits: there is little else there. The logic is simple: «I am elected with such-and-such results, United Russia receives such-and-such figures — that is the fundamental story.» Turnout and everything else no longer matter. The main thing is to show a high result among those who came, while how it is achieved is a separate question.
«This Is More a Win-Win Lottery Than a Shell Game»
«Political Competition Was Never the Point of Elections for Putin»
