PUTIN MAKES TELEVISED APPEAL TO VOTERS

UNCLAS MOSCOW 005583 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR RS SUBJECT: PUTIN MAKES TELEVISED APPEAL TO VOTERS ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a November 29 televised appeal, Putin asked voters to support the party whose ticket he leads, United Russia, in Sunday's Duma elections. The brief address, notable for its lack of surprise, was a classic appeal by an incumbent politician to stay the course. Immediately following Putin's address, Vladimir Zhirinovskiy, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR),an "opposition party" that supports the Kremlin, also appealed to voters for support. His appearance, following Putin's, may have been a sign that the Kremlin is trying to give LDPR a boost to ensure they remain in the Duma. End summary. Putin Asks Voters to Stay the Course -------------- ¶2. (U) In a five-minute address aired at noon on November 29 on national television, Putin directly appealed to voters to vote United Russia on December 2. Putin, who heads the United Russia ticket, said a vote for United Russia would ensure "stability and continuity." Deriding the politics of the '90s, Putin said "we cannot allow the return to power of those who once tried but failed to rule the country." ¶3. (U) The televised address, reportedly paid for by United Russia, most certainly will be aired many more times as news throughout the evening news cycle. Over the course of the last week, political commentators had speculated that Putin would use the address to make a surprise announcement, and there was much speculation about what that might be. The fact that Putin recorded the speech November 22 at the Ostankino television complex, not the Kremlin, added to the flurry of speculation. Nudging LDPR Across the Finish Line -------------- ¶4. (U) Immediately following Putin's address, LDPR leader Zhirinovskiy made his appeal to voters in a brief address in which he expressed support for the President and his policies. LDPR is currently represented in the Duma but recent polls have shown the party's support to be slightly below the 7 percent threshold needed to win seats in the next Duma. Zhirinovskiy's appearance is being read by some that the Kremlin wants to ensure that LDPR, an "opposition party" that supports the president, makes it back to the Duma. Comment -------------- ¶5. (SBU) For someone with a knack for surprises, Putin's surprise today was that there were no surprises. His speech was nothing more than an appeal to voters for their support. As expectations for United Russia in Sunday's elections increase, Putin is putting his popularity on the line to ensure the outcome the Kremlin wants, is the outcome the Kremlin gets. BURNS