THE prisoner in Siberia the Kremlin’s number one rival, Alexei Navalnycall today to demonstrations everywhere in Russia during the presidential electionswhich are expected to take place from March 15 to 17 and allow Vladimir Putin to remain in power until at least 2030.

“I like the idea of ​​those who vote against Putin going to the polls at the same time, at noon. At noon against Putin“, the oppositionist said on social media, calling on anyone who opposes the Kremlin’s policy, primarily the attack on Ukraine, to mobilize “not only in every city, but also in every neighborhood.”

“Thousands of people will be able to participate. And tens of thousands of people will show up,” Navalny added on the X platform (formerly Twitter).

“This can be a strong indication of the spirit of the country,” he said from his prison cell.

However, although the demonstrations against the authorities are prohibited in Russia and are suppressed savaged by the forces of order, Navalny estimated that the authorities cannot oppose such an “absolutely legal and safe” event.

The 47-year-old activist is serving a 19-year prison sentence for “extremism” in an Arctic penal colony, under very harsh conditions.

The dissident therefore called on Russians not to vote for Vladimir Putin, without naming any specific candidate he supports, while his wife Yulia and some of his closest supporters, who are in exile, have in recent days backed Boris Nadiezdin, the only candidate calling for an end to the war in Ukraine.

For its part, the Kremlin says that Russians are largely “united” behind Vladimir Putin.

Presidential elections in Russia are expected to be held from March 15 to 17.

Victory for Vladimir Putin, in power since 2000, looks certain as his opponents, led by Navalny, have been jailed or driven into exile in recent years amid a wave of repression as Moscow’s offensive against Ukraine continues. .