Director of Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan commented on possible developments and protest actions following the presidential elections in Russia.

“The authorities should not go into hysteric. I don’t think any revolutionary upheavals will take place,” he told a press conference in Yerevan.

“Putin staked on national republics, employees of budgetary organizations, poorly educated people and the elderly instead of gambling on the middle class representatives who should have played their part in modernization of the country. There is difference between an authoritarian leader with poor legitimation and an authoritarian leader with strong legitimation. We will deal with a different Russia after the elections,” the expert said, adding that further developments will depend on the opposition rallies and the extent of opposition’s consolidation.

Iskandaryan believes social-economic situation will deteriorate in Russia since “the money is exhausted”, and the authorities will have to tackle domestic problems. He also stated that there is no political opposition in Russia because it has discredited itself; instead, there is the civil protest.