Russia's sheer size makes it hard for any one person to mount a campaign as "the people's choice." While other democracies are large, such as Canada and the United States, Russia does not have the infrastructure to allow someone to campaign easily from Moscow to Vladivostok. Weather can also be a factor, as the northern parts of the country are almost inaccessible in winter. There is also the issue of corruption, which has existed throughout Russian history. Media channels can be easily controlled and votes can be bought directly. Since Russia is a powerful nation, international agencies will not complain loudly of voter fraud. While the Russian economy has improved in the time after the Cold War, it is still vulnerable and oligarchs still maintain a lot of power. This is not likely to change any time soon. While youth movements in Russia are encouraging open elections and more democracy, this is not likely to happen any time soon as long as a small group of leaders continue to hold nearly total control over the country. Greater media access to the far-reaches of Russia would allow a candidate to campaign virtually all over the country. This is an encouraging sign for Russia to one day have a truly elected leader.
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