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Long Lines of Russian Voters Indicate Displeasure with Putin’s Leadership

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In major cities across Russia, long lines of voters gathered outside polling stations during the presidential election on Sunday, signaling discontent with Vladimir V. Putin’s tenure. Many were responding to a call by opposition leaders to protest what they view as a rubber-stamp process that will only serve to keep Putin in power.

The late Russian opposition leader, Aleksei A. Navalny, had urged his supporters to show up at the polls at midday on Sunday, the final day of the three-day voting period, to express dissatisfaction with Putin’s imminent fifth presidential term in an election devoid of genuine competition.

Despite the risks associated with dissent in Russia, Mr. Navalny’s team and other opposition movements continued to call for a protest in the lead-up to the vote. The initiative, known as Noon Against Putin, aimed to provide a safe avenue for citizens to voice their discontent in a country that has increasingly clamped down on dissent since its invasion of Ukraine.

The focus of the protest was on solidarity among like-minded citizens rather than the actual actions taken with their ballots, as the election was viewed as lacking genuine choice by opposition leaders.

“This is our protest — we don’t have any other options,” said Lena, a 61-year-old voter in central Moscow, who intended to spoil her ballot. Many others echoed similar sentiments, citing a desire to demonstrate their opposition to the current regime.

Alissa, a 25-year-old voter, highlighted the importance of coming together with people who share her views against the ongoing war and government policies. The protest was not just about the act of voting but about making a collective statement against the status quo.

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After Mr. Navalny’s tragic death in custody, his widow and political heir, Yulia Navalnaya, championed the Noon Against Putin initiative as a means to honor his memory and protest against his suspected assassination at the hands of the government.

Leonid Volkov, a key aide of Mr. Navalny, expressed gratitude to the supporters who participated in the midday protest, emphasizing that Russia’s identity transcended Putin’s rule. The solidarity displayed by the protesters underscored a united front against authoritarianism.

The initiative gained momentum despite the risks associated with dissent in Russia, as evidenced by the recent attack on Mr. Volkov in Lithuania. The opposition faced challenges both domestically and abroad, with several individuals detained for participating in election-related activism.

While the exact number of protesters who joined the midday initiative remains unclear, the sudden formation of long lines outside polling stations at noon signaled a significant turnout. The symbolic form of civil disobedience highlighted the limitations faced by the Russian opposition in influencing political change.

Despite the government’s threats to quash any disruptions to the election process, voters like Kristina, a 22-year-old who once volunteered for Mr. Navalny, were undeterred in their show of support for the opposition leader. She emphasized the power of the people to challenge the existing power structure, even in the face of adversity.

Kristina shared a photo of her spoiled ballot, adorned with a message of support for Navalny, before being briefly detained by authorities. The risks associated with dissent did not deter voters from demonstrating their opposition to Putin’s regime, even in the face of potential repercussions.

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The protest extended beyond Russia’s borders, with Russian embassies in countries with sizable Russian populations witnessing long lines of voters expressing solidarity with the opposition. Despite the challenges faced by dissident voters abroad, the global reach of the protest underscored the widespread discontent with Putin’s rule.

As the election unfolded, voters across Russia and in various international locations stood in solidarity with the opposition movement, showcasing a united front against authoritarianism.

Valerie Hopkins, Tomas Dapkus, and Anton Troianovski contributed to this comprehensive reporting on the protests and discontent surrounding Russia’s presidential election.

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.