(ConservativeJournal.org) – Vladimir Putin has officially declared his intention to run in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for March 17, as reported by state media. This move is widely anticipated to extend his enduring influence over Russia for another 6 years, reinforcing what kremlin critics call Putin’s “repressive” rule.
Despite initiating a costly war in Ukraine, which has resulted in a substantial loss of lives and internal security challenges, Putin maintains broad public support, with approximately 80% approval, according to the Levada Center, an independent pollster.
The short-lived rebellion led by mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin in June prompted speculations about Putin’s weakening control. However, Putin regime emerged from this incident unscathed and Prigozhin’s subsequent mysterious death in a plane crash a few months later bolstered the perception of Putin’s ability to maintain authoritative control. Indeed, he and Prigozhin were once considered friends.
Putin, aged 71, has already used political maneuvers to stay in power, amending the constitution twice. These changes, which extended presidential terms from 4 to 6 years and reset term limits, allow him to remain in power well into his mid-80s. As the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin, Putin has continuously demonstrated a reluctance to relinquish control.
Despite concerns about declining popularity, particularly evident during the 2021 amendments, and with an approval rating around 60%, Putin appears determined to retain authority. Experts, such as Dmitry Oreshkin, a political analyst, attribute Putin’s motivation for the war in Ukraine to this fear of losing power. The election is expected to lack meaningful opposition, with Putin facing only symbolic challengers on the ballot, already usually funded by the Kremlin for appearances.
The March 2024 election is poised to consolidate Putin’s dominance, revealing whether his extensive support is genuine or a result of a restrictive political environment where even mild dissent can be punished.
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