In Moscow's Local Elections, Opponents Of Putin Find A Glimmer Of Hope
The opposition, long frustrated at the national level, is encouraging novices to stand in local elections. Last month they won big in Moscow, with help from an expert with U.S. campaign experience.
Being a member of Russia's democratic opposition has long meant coping with failure and irrelevance. In the carefully choreographed public life of Vladimir Putin's Russia, political campaigns lacking the Kremlin's blessing have usually failed.
But in early September, Russian democrats finally had something to celebrate: Almost 300 opposition candidates surprised everyone by winning majorities in 30 of Moscow's 125 local district councils.
"I believe it's a really important political statement and signal to the Russian government and mayor of Moscow that people are thirsty for
