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The president got 75% of the votes, his biggest electoral victory. The future of religious freedom for the evangelical minorities is very much dependent on the course of East-West relations.
Vladimir Putin will be president of Russia until 2024.
There has been no surprise in Russia: Putin has won the elections and will be the president until 2024.
He has even exceeded the 70% granted by the polls, reaching 75% of the vote. This is his biggest victory at the polls since he began to present his candidacy in 2000.
The difference is abysmal with its most direct opponents in these elections, which will remain limited to a practically residual representation compared to the strength of Putin's party, Russia United.
The communist and millionaire Pavel Grudinin (the main rival of the president) obtained 12% of the votes, while liberals Zhirinovski and Sobchak got 6% and 1.3% respectively.
MANY CONFLICTS TO FACE
Putin's new term begins with a lot pressure, with many fronts open.
The most recent comes after the death by poisoning of a former Russian spy in the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister, Theresa May, accused the Russian president of being involved in the event. May decided to expel 23 diplomats from London, and Moscow has responded by doing the same.
On the other hand, the conflict with Ukraine is still open and has been present in these elections. Iin the Russian embassy in Kiev, some people tried to obstruct the voting of the Russians living in Ukraine.
And there are also tensions in the Middle East. Russia militarily supports the regime of Bashar al-Ásad in Syria, a state that in turn is developing a confrontation with Turkey in the border territory.
Turkey has the political support of a significant part of the West, after having signed an agreementt with the European Union for the retention of the migratory population that goes to the continent.
REACTIONS OF THE RUSSIAN EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY
The Russian Evangelical Alliance (REA) already told Evangelical Focus and Spanish news website Protestante Digital that “religious freedom for the evangelical minorities is very much dependent on the course of East-West relations. If they get worse, so will relations between evangelicals and the state”.
On the other hand, the REA claims not to expect “anything good from any government” because, according to the Secretary General of the Alliance, Sergey Vdovin, “for more than 1,000 years evangelicals have been bathed in their own blood and suffering”.
No one in the world has shown more willingness to forgive every human being than God.
The caper is native to Southeast Asia, but it is common throughout the Mediterranean basin and in many other parts of the world.
In Western Europe today the majority of the church is made up of the relatively wealthy middle classes.
The horses of the ‘Franches’ are amongst the hardiest that exist.
Christians in politics?
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
Michael Ramsden: Communicating the Gospel in today’s societies
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
Michael Schluter: Relationships are the key to build Europe
The economist summarises the manifesto “Confederal Europe: Strong Nations, Strong Union” and explains why personal relationships should be at the centre of our economy, education and democracy.
Efraim Tendero: Relationship with Roman Catholicism and other current issues
The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change.
Greg Pritchard: European Leadership Forum
Pritchard explains the vision of ELF, comments on the 2015 event in Poland and reflects on what it means to have an "evangelical identity".
Evi Rodemann: Youth and mission
“We want to see the youth not just being equipped, but also being multipliers”, Evi Rodemann director of Mission-Net. The European Congress took place in Germany from December 28 to January 2.
Coexistence in the church - a model for society
“Gospel, identity and coexistence” were the themes of the General Assembly of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. Two days in Palma de Mallorca to reflect about the role of evangelical churches in society.
'Ungi kulimi changana'
Educator and journalist Jordi Torrents shares images of the Sekeleka social centre in Mozambique. About 50 children live there, many with some kind of disability. All photos were taken with permission.
The President in an evangelical church on Christmas Eve
For the first time, the President of Portugal attended a worship service in an evangelical church. It was in Sintra, on Christmas Eve.
I am not on sale
Young Christians gathered at Madrid’s central square Sol to denounce human trafficking. A flashmob highlighted the work of three evangelical NGOs which support women who escape sexual slavery in Spain.
Stamps to commemorate the Reformation
Poland, Lithuania, Namibia and Brazil are some of the countries that have issued special stamps on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 theses.
Why are Christian leaders particularly vulnerable to sexual temptation?
“The reasons why somebody might have sex with a prostitute are very different from the reasons why somebody might want to have an affair with a member of their congregation”. An analysis by John Stevens, National Director of FIEC (UK).
Be safe on social media
A video about the way traffickers target teenage girls online, produced by anti-slavery gorup Abolishion.
In Mission
A 360º lyric video about how all followers of Jesus Christ are called to serve God. Duo in Spanish (Alex Sampedro) and Portuguese (Marcos Martins).
Heart
A short animation film by Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset tells the message of the Bible in four minutes.
Philip Yancey interview
An 8-minute interview with Philip Yancey on the role of Christians in a secularised society. Recorded in Madrid, September 2016.
An interview with Prof. John Lennox
New atheism, the definition of "faith", Christianity in Europe, the role of the Bible in mission, and the need to listen more. An exclusive interview recorded at "Forum Apologética" (Tarragona, Spain) in May 2016.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
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