<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>

This weekend, millions of Russians queued to vote in the country's national electionA vote in which someone is chosen to represent a group of people. to choose a new leader - even though they already knew who would win.

Vladimir Putin has led RussiaThe largest country in the world by area. It has a population of 144 million people. for 24 years already. Now, after claiming 87% of the vote, he will be in power for another six.

Even though it held an election, Russia is not a democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.. Candidates who are against Russia's war in UkraineA country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022. were not allowed to stand for election. And one of Putin's biggest critics, a man called Alexei NavalnyA well-known opposition leader in Russia and critic of Vladimir Putin, who died in prison in 2024 at the age of 47. , died in prison last month.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, many in the West said it would only be a matter of time before Putin was forced out of power.

Two years later, he still looks strong. For some, this shows that dictatorshipsA form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits. might be the future - not democracies.

Dictators can think about the long term. If you know you will be in power in 20 years time, you can make plans for the future. Meanwhile, democratic leaders can only ever plan four or five years ahead.

Others disagree. Dictators cannot trust anyone, and often do not listen to anyone either. This means that when their country has a problem, they rarely solve it.

Meanwhile, democracies are very good at listening to people's problems and solving them.

Has Putin fallen into a trap?

<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>

Yes! The longer a dictator spends in power, the less they listen to ordinary people. Eventually, their own decisions will lead to their downfall.

No! People have been talking about Putin's fall from power for years. But he is still there. Meanwhile, democracies are not looking healthy at the moment.

Election - A vote in which someone is chosen to represent a group of people.

Russia - The largest country in the world by area. It has a population of 144 million people.

Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.

Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.

Alexei Navalny - A well-known opposition leader in Russia and critic of Vladimir Putin, who died in prison in 2024 at the age of 47.

Dictatorships - A form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits.