Russians deserve better than the parody of an election in which they will be asked to choose President Vladimir Putin’s successor.

The Kremlin has done everything to ensure that Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Putin’s nominee, will be elected by an overwhelming margin on Sunday. The ex-KGB men who dominate the administration have squeezed effective opposition from the political scene. Parliament, the courts, business and the media have all been bent to the president’s will.