Russian elections always run on "administrative mobilisation" of public sector workers. But ahead of a nationwide referendum next week, the Kremlin is scaling up its methods.
In the Russian capital, administrative wrangling by the Moscow authorities has provoked mobilisation from below - capitalising on long-held discontent by city residents.
The fundamental ideology of the Putin regime may be depoliticisation, but protests and petitions are leading to direct and open questions to Russia’s ruling elite.