The gloomy forecast is due to the fact that there are no prerequisites for economic growth in the Russian Federation, he said in an interview with ONLINE.UA.
Asked whether the elections in Russia will affect the Kremlin's policy, the analyst said: "Whether they influence it or not, there is no money. So, as Dmitry Medvedev said: 'Hold on there!' The economic situation before the parliamentary elections is still bearable. To my mind, the presidential elections in 2018 will be more problematic. If the economy does not start to grow in a year, and I can't see why it should, then 2018 will be a problem year."
Read alsoPoll: Three-quarters of Russians believe Russia should continue its policy despite sanctionsAccording to Oreshkin, as of today, the very election process is more dangerous for the Kremlin than its outcome. "The Duma elections-2016 will not be a problem. In fact, the parliamentary elections cannot be a problem, because it's not of particular importance, what the Duma composition will be. It is clear that the United Russia Party will lose 10-15%, but it will compensate for the loss will single-mandate constituencies: those, who stripped of a shirt of the United Russia Party and sported another one with an "Independent candidate" spelled on it," Oreshkin said.
"The Liberal Democratic Party and the Communists will also serve the Kremlin. The subsidence of the rating of the United Russia Party will be a blow to the prestige, not of Vladimir Putin, but that of Dmitry Medvedev, who is associated with the United Russia Party, while Putin prudently distanced himself from it a year ago. The Kremlin is OK with the Russian United Democratic Party "Yabloko" to enter the parliament in order to show "democracy." All parties will depend on the Kremlin because it "feeds" them (in Russia, the parties receive government funding). The composition of the Duma will change slightly, but it will have no impact on politics," the political scientist said.
Read alsoMedvedev's visit to Crimea: Ukraine MFA voices protestAt the same time, Oreshkin believes that the electoral process itself can launch a round of scandals and internal clashes, people will be irritated.
