The Legacy and Mission of Alexei Navalny

Following reports that Russian opposition party leader Alexei Navalny died Friday, voices across the spectrum are reflecting on what his death means for Russia.

From the Left: A writer in the Daily Beast (Left bias) praised Navalny for returning to Russia in 2021 after he was poisoned by the Russian security services, writing that he “truly believed in Russia, in the possibility of a democratic nation rising from the ruins of the Soviet empire.” The writer concluded, “Today, a Russia free of Putin and Putinism seems almost impossible to imagine. But for the sake of Navalny, we must imagine it.”

From the Center: Anne Applebaum (Center bias) explained the power of Navalny, describing how he “seemed real to other ordinary Russians, and he told stories that had relevance to their lives.” Applebaum determined this appeal led the Russian government to kill Navalny, writing, “Even behind bars Navalny was a real threat to Putin, because he was living proof that courage is possible, that truth exists, that Russia could be a different kind of country.”

From the Right: The National Review Editorial Board (Right bias) called Navalny “one of the bravest men of our time,” writing that he “understood the power of humor, and found creative ways to lampoon Russia’s ruling party as a clique of thieves and crooks.” The board concluded, “You often hear that Vladimir Putin, no matter what, loves his country. Yet he robs it blind. He immiserates it. True love of country was shown by Navalny.”