A Late Analysis of the Russian Presidential Opposition

After protests questioning the authenticity of the election in 2011, changes totalling roughly half a billion dollars to the Russian electoral process were put in place. A live webcam feed of all polling stations shown to as many as half a million independent observers was put in place; election fraudsters from Dagestan to Moscow were caught, but the West was shocked at how Putin still won. However, a look at the candidates may give better context.