Parliamentary elections in Germany, which will be held in the fall of 2017, will be the last chance of Russian President Vladimir Putin "shake the EU".
This was written by Clint Watts in an article for the American online edition The Daily Beast, a summary of which Inopresse.
"The complete victory of Emmanuel Macron on Sunday for many has become a symbol of defeat to Russia, whose intervention in several recent elections in the West indicated a dark future for the EU and democracy around the world," he said..
However, some ominous signs suggest that Russia's struggle for influence will not stop in the near future and still has prospects for continuing not only in France but throughout the West, the journalist warns..
"If the Russians published dirt on Makron before the first round of the two-stage elections, then Putin could not only settle accounts with Le Pen's main rival, but also raise another competitive opponent, such as Francois Fillon or Jean-Luc Melenschon, two candidates who, Most likely, would absorb the votes cast for Macron, "the author argues.
Watts believes that given the fact that only two weeks have passed between the two rounds, unlike the months between the American primaries and the presidential elections, the effectiveness of Russian measures aimed at persuading voters on the side of Le Pen has been limited.
"The French information blockade before the election day also limited the damage from too late appeared Russian dirt on Makron. Moreover, the French are less likely to receive news from social networks and are exposed to their influence than the Americans who are too much on the Internet. It is difficult for Putin to exercise influence in cyberspace through false news, when French voters are not exposed to Russian influence online, "writes the publication.
"The goal of publishing stolen emails by Putin so late during the game was not to win the election at the last minute, but to spoil the victory of Macron, undermining his mandate to manage - the traditional safety option of the Russian subversive campaign. In the coming weeks, if the Kremlin's throwing of e-mails provokes a scandal or gives grounds for suspicion of corruption, McCron will take up his position in a controversial situation, be subjected to new attacks by Le Pen supporters and linger with the implementation of his political promises to the electorate. Only time will tell, "- asserts the author.
He suggests that France is lost at the moment for the Kremlin.
"But the elections in September 2017 in Germany give the last and very solid chance to shake the EU. The German parliament has already been hacked, and Russia has been aggressively pushing anti-Merkelean fake stories about the crimes of immigrants to the German information field. Germany gives Putin the last chance to challenge the unity of the West and the opportunity to receive his award. Now, some people say that Russia has gone too far with interference in the elections, but what will be the consequences? "- the journalist asks the question.
"Nevertheless, Putin has lost little. The financial costs associated with the impact in cyberspace were minimal compared to other defense spending. He won a significant audience among the extreme right-wing communities, mobilized on an unprecedented scale.
Putin's plan of influence will continue in Germany until the US formulates a policy towards Russia and unites with its European allies in resolutely opposing Russian aggression. The Kremlin will not stop until it is challenged, "the author concludes..
As the Observer reported, the polls in February showed that German Chancellor Angela Merkel would have lost to a representative of the Social Democratic Party, ex-President of the European Parliament Martin Schultz, if the vote in the upcoming elections were for individual politicians.
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