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HARVARD GAZETTE ARCHIVES Kennedy School Launches Russian Election Watch
In early December, Russians are scheduled to go to the polls to participate in elections that could have far-reaching ramifications for U.S.-Russia relations. In an effort to keep a finger on the pulse of this historic process, the Strengthening Democratic Institutions (SDI) Project of the Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs has launched a monthly bulletin to keep American policymakers and top opinion shapers well informed. The bulletin, Russian Election Watch, provides information and analysis of key campaign events. "Barring extra-constitutional disruptions, on December 19, 1999, Russians will elect a new Duma," noted SDI Director Graham Allison in the inaugural issue. "In June or July, 2000, Russians will vote for a new President. On the current path, Russia will thus enter the next millennium with the first democratic, law-governed transition of power in its thousand-year history."As control over thousands of nuclear warheads hangs in the balance, the outcome of the elections will directly impact U.S. national interests, perhaps determining whether a future Russia will be friend, foe, or a "failed state."Along with SDI’s own expert accounts, Russian Election Watch includes the latest polls, insider commentary from Russia’s own leading analysts, and brief responses from Russian party leaders themselves to questions posed by SDI.The July 1999 introductory issue of Russian Election Watch provided a brief analysis of key presidential and parliamentary contenders, stating the strengths, weaknesses, and policy positions of each. The second and third issues have tracked these players through a tumultuous political summer, which included the firing of a prime minister, two major terrorist bomb attacks in Moscow, and renewed war in Russia’s North Caucasus region.Upcoming Issues Items in upcoming issues include the following: Why did the Central Election Commission deny registration to Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s nationalist party? Will Zhirinovsky’s effort to reincarnate his party as the "Zhirinovsky Bloc" succeed? Will the elections be free and fair? How to explain Prime Minister Putin’s recent surge to the top of the presidential polls? And will his popularity last? What do the official party platforms say about the candidates? Russian Election Watch is available to the public on the SDI Website (www.ksg.harvard.edu/bcsia/sdi) and interested persons may request that an electronic version be sent to them each month by sending their e-mail address, institutional affiliation, and other contact information to Emily_Goodhue@harvard.edu.
Copyright 1999 President and Fellows of Harvard College |