When Putin won in 2012 the Russians took to the streets. Why not now?

The presidential election in Russia ended on Sunday with the expected outcome of Vladimir Putin's victory for another six-year term. Despite this, there are some visible aspects: Putin's victory with 76% of the general vote and the 70% exit in the election was particularly crucial, and few seem to dispute these things that are, at least until the main opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, presents a list of alleged electoral frauds.

A large number of Putin voters told him nothing. If a candidate does not promise any future and remains popular, it means that their voters have voted for a ʹstabilnost something they now have and do not want to lose. But what are the achievements of Putin's current period, which Russians fear would be lost?

The past six years were terrible for the Russian economy, which has stalled until gas prices in the market continue to decline. Russia participated in the monstrous conflict in Ukraine, prompting sanctions from the European Union. And we're already seeing the possibility of another cold war.

Within Russia, the church is becoming stronger in its intervention in everyday life, adjusting everything from access to abortion to what appears at the Bolsoi Theatre.

Compare the impact of these elections with the consequence of past elections. In 2012, Putin had also won but with a weaker outcome. People protested on the street the next day after the elections. I remember how everyone around me on that demonstration was worried about the idea of having six more years of Putin's protests continued for another half year. Some demonstrations involved hundreds of thousands of people, who would normally be apolitical. The 2012 protests against Putin took place after a period of economic growth when Russia's relations with the rest of the world were relatively stable.

Now, six years after the political and economic problems, there are no demonstrations, and there are no signs of any opposition spilling into the street.

In fact, the only demonstration to see was what was organised by Putin's supporters. Standing there in the midst of a crowd of young people and elders who had come willingly or forced by their employees for Putin, I wondered how we had reached that situation - a mind in which if things go wrong in Russia, people do not hope things will get better.

The sad fact is that a significant number of people I knew who participated in the 2012 and 20130 protests have emigrated and have not returned to Russia.

Many of those who stood simply did not vote this time or break their vote. Now they joke to see Russia free, they just have to live longer than Putin. Others have returned to work in charity or culture, simply hoping to avoid Russian politics for the next six years.

Subtitles by: Periscope