This paper contributes to the growing body of research on opposition fragmentation by asking whether the opposition’s format influences its publicly perceived performance and electoral success, as...Show moreThis paper contributes to the growing body of research on opposition fragmentation by asking whether the opposition’s format influences its publicly perceived performance and electoral success, as well as people’s satisfaction with democracy. Using regression analyses, I show that both the polarisation and the fragmentation of the opposition are associated with a decline in people’s attitudes toward them. Furthermore, an increase in opposition polarisation is associated with a decline in citizens’ satisfaction with democracy, while the fragmentation of the opposition shows the opposite effect. Lastly, the opposition’s polarisation and fragmentation show no significant effect on the governing parties’ vote share. Overall, the results of this paper suggest that investigating the format of the opposition gives insides not only into the public perception of opposition parties but also into citizens’ satisfaction with democracy.Show less
This research is geared towards analysing the portrayal of the Russian Communist party, the KPRF in the regional and federal newspaper Argumenty i fakty in the campaign preceding the 2016 Russian...Show moreThis research is geared towards analysing the portrayal of the Russian Communist party, the KPRF in the regional and federal newspaper Argumenty i fakty in the campaign preceding the 2016 Russian Election. It uses discourse analysis of three selected articles as well as second level agenda setting analysis of articles concerning the KPRF which appeared in the federal edition of AiF and in two of its available subsidiaries where the party respectively did best and worst, namely the Omsk and Kazan editions.Show less
This study analyses the possibility of Levyi Front being the 'savior of the Russian left'. This is done by comparing Levyi Front to the six main characteristics that define successful opposition in...Show moreThis study analyses the possibility of Levyi Front being the 'savior of the Russian left'. This is done by comparing Levyi Front to the six main characteristics that define successful opposition in autocratic regimes as defined by Alfred Stepan. We will argue that although they do adhere to most of these characteristics, it is mostly a potential 'savior', but might not be able to force actual change in the modern Russian political arena.Show less
