Russians are going to the polls starting today through Sunday to vote in their parliamentary elections. Leading up to the vote, authorities have cracked down on independent politicians across Russia, making sure that the Kremlin’s loudest critics wouldn’t run. Many opposition politicians have fled abroad, or have even been imprisoned — including opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Experts have also speculated for years that elections in Russia are rigged in favor of President Vladimir Putin’s ruling party, United Russia. Host Carol Hills speaks with Russian political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann.
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