Protest movement losing steam in Russia due to disappointment in its leaders – expert Kostin

(Interfax – Dec. 6, 2012) The protest movement in Russia is losing steam, Civil Society Development Fund head Konstantin Kostin said in a presentation of his report at Interfax on Thursday.

“Protests were escalating from December 2011 through February 2012 and then started to subdue,” he said.

Kostin put the blame on internal problems of the protest movement.

“People are disappointed with opposition leaders. Obviously, and this is recognized by opposition members, they have failed to elaborate a common political platform as a basis of joint protest actions,” Kostin said.

Young people and the so-called creative class started to leave the protest movement after February because “the fashion for opposition rallies was gone,” he said.

Another reason for the subduing protest feelings is the weak coordination between opposition leaders, “their endless talk” and disconnection, he said.

“The protest movement failed to produce one outstanding leader to enjoy reputation and respect of the majority,” Kostin said.

Meanwhile, the situation with the Russian presidential election has stabilized and the crisis of election legitimacy has ended, he said.

Judging by opinion polls, things will not change in the near future, Kostin presumed. Most of the persons, who used to be loyal to the protest movement, will not take part in the upcoming protest actions because of their disappointment, he added.