In a recent announcement, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election on March 17, a move that is expected to secure him a fifth term in office.
The announcement came after a Kremlin award ceremony, during which war veterans and other attendees reportedly urged him to run for re-election.
Putin, aged 71, is already a dominant figure in Russian politics and is widely anticipated to secure another six-year term. A recent amendment to the country's constitution allows him to run for office again in 2030, potentially extending his reign until 2036. In the 2018 election, Putin secured a significant 76% of the vote.
"I wont hide it from you I had various thoughts about it over time, but now, youre right, its necessary to make a decision," Putin stated in a video released by the Kremlin following the event. "I will run for President of the Russian Federation."
The announcement was notably understated, a move analysts suggest was designed to convey Putin's modesty and his focus on his duties rather than on aggressive campaigning.
The former intelligence officer continues to enjoy immense popularity in Russia. His approval ratings surged with the onset of the war against Ukraine, and he currently boasts an approval rating of 82%, according to global data platform Statista. Even a failed rebellion last summer by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin did not dent his approval ratings.
However, it remains unclear whether this support stems from genuine admiration or is a reflection of submission to a leader known for his crackdown on opposition, making even mild criticism a risky endeavor.
The election will span three days, a practice first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic for the convenience of voters. However, this extension has been criticized for posing a risk to election integrity, as it necessitates secure overnight storage of ballots and complicates the tasks of poll watchers.
The election will also be open to four regions of Ukraine that Russia has partially and illegally annexed.
Potential challengers to Putin remain uncertain, although several individuals have indicated their intention to run. Among them are Igor Girkin, a pro-Russia fighter leader in eastern Ukraine in 2014, former lawmaker Boris Nadezhdin, and Yekaterina Duntsova, a journalist and lawyer from the Tver region north of Moscow.
Imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny has urged his supporters to vote against Putin. "Putin views this election as a referendum on approval of his actions," Navalny stated in an online post. "A referendum on approval of the war. Lets disrupt his plans and make it happen so that no one on March 17 is interested in the rigged result, but that all of Russia saw and understood: the will of the majority is that Putin must leave."
Putin has held continuous positions as President or prime minister since 1999. He has served as President since 2012, following a previous term from 2000 to 2008.
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