The churches are full. The Orthodox churches. And the Orthodox church has been given broad powers to act as a moral authority, restricting freedom of speech and expression, not to mention gay rights.
There are opposition papers being distributed, but the broadcast media are firmly in state hands.
People are demonstrating in the parks and being beat up when they get too noisy or threatening.
But most of all, he rides bareback, surfs and fishes and shoots and is not afraid to show who’s boss. And he is on his second wife.