Putin sure of victory but worried about violence

In the days leading up to Russia's presidential election, presidential candidate Vladimir Putin cautioned that the opposition parties could purposefully provoke violence after he wins the election. While warning members of the All-Russian People's Front, a political group he created, Mr. Putin stated that his political opponents would try to frame him for electoral fraud in order to "ruin his victory"

Mr. Putin is quoted as saying "'(t)hey really want any kind of skirmishes...I've known this method and tactic for 10 years, and how they try to apply it, especially abroad.'" Protest movement leaders are currently talking with Russian authorities to hold a demonstration against Putin a day after the elections. Sergei Udaltstov, head of the opposition group Left Front, said: "'If this is an attempt to compromise us it looks stupid because have not nor could we ever have such plans.'"

Lately, Mr. Putin has even criticized the U.S. for encouraging the protesters in Moscow. Mr. Putin is predicted to win with 63-66 per cent of all the votes.

What do you guys think? If Mr. Putin wins this election, he will have ruled Russia for a whopping 12 years with another 4 as prime minister. However, under Putin's rule so far, Russia's economy grew nine years in a row with GDP increasing by 72%. Poverty also decreased by more than half and the average monthly salary for a Russian rose from $80 to $640. If there are no signs of fraud and Putin really does have the support of 60% of the Russian population, should the opposition movement stop or should they continue to fight for more political freedom and choices in their government.