https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Freedom_Party

Thus this is NOT an opposition, it is someone who is claiming he is in opposition.

How come when it comes to Political news from Russia, we NEVER hear of the opposition that has actual seats in the Russian Duma? Of the 450 sets in the Duma we have four parties:

Putin's "United Russia" with..................238 seats
.....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Russia

The Communist Party of Russia ...........92 Seats (Endorses a mix economy but want big business nationalized.
.....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_the_Russian_Federation

The Socialist "A Just Russia" party.......64 seats
......https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Just_Russia

Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR)...56 seats Holding firmly the right wing in Russia
.....https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democratic_Party_of_Russia

One reason is both the Communists and "A Just Russia" party support progressive taxation and increase control over natural resources and larges businesses (Two things Putin opposes).

The "Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR)" is Russia's true fascist party. Comparedt to the LDPT, Putin is a liberal.

Last edited Wed Feb 10, 2016, 11:16 PM - Edit history (1)

If Kasyanov is so unimportant (according to you), why is Putin's henchman, Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, putting out threats against him using sniper's targets on Kasyanov's face? (see post #3)

They used this same tactic when Nemstov was assassinated -- saying he wasn't very important, why would we want to kill him? Who, us?

Is this DUma Underground, or what?

More on the drawing:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Kasyanov

More on the man who posted it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramzan_Kadyrov

More on the actual posting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/world/europe/menacing-video-posted-by-chechen-leader-alarms-critics-of-putin-in-russia.html?_r=0

Even the New York Time says this:

I am sorry, Mikhail Kasyanov had been Putin's Prime Minster from 2000 to 2004 and had then been fired with the rest of the cabinet. Mikhail Kasyanov appears to be someone who supports "Liberal" economic policies for Russia, something Putin abandoned in 2004 (and appeared to have come to oppose by 1999 when he became President). Such "Liberal" (or as it is called in the US "neo-liberal&quot economic policy are NOT in favor in Russia and lost any support it had in Russia when Yeltsin was President. Thus Mikhail Kasyanov has little support in Russia, the Communists have much higher level of support.

Please note Neo-Liberal Economics is what the GOP supports in the US, little or no regulation of private business.

As to Ramzan Kadyrov attack on Mikhail Kasyanov, Ramzan Kadyrov is NOT entirely sane, but he has massive support in Chechen, and thus tolerated by Putin (Putin appears not to want to replace Ramzan Kadyrov, probally for the simple reason Putin don't know who to replace Ramzan Kadyrov with, i.e. it is better to stay with an enemy you know then replace him with an enemy you do not know).

The attack may be a plan by Putin, but the more likely reason is Ramzan Kadyrov just like attacking anyone who opposes Putin, who Ramzan Kadyrov see as his key to controlling Chechen (i.e. Ramzan Kadyrov trying to show how loyal he is to Putin but refusing to go after anyone who MIGHT be able to do something about it).

"Thus this is NOT an opposition, it is someone who is claiming he is in opposition...."

Hence, the graphic of him in cross-hairs was merely a gesture of familial comradeship and friendliness.

Russian politician Mikhail Kasyanov has accused President Vladimir Putin of "silently encouraging" intimidation as a row over a menacing video continues.

The video posted by Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, a strong Putin ally, portrayed Mr Kasyanov though a sniper's gun sights.

Mr Kadyrov has criticised social network Instagram for removing it.

Speaking to BBC News, Mr Kasyanov said Mr Putin was responsible for Mr Kadyrov's actions.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35477293

Looks like the intimidation started earlier. Tuesday's attack was an escalation probably designed to impress on him that the video was no fluke.

the men looked non-slavic, amirite