In an interview published on Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said he hoped Russian President Vladimir Putin would run for re-election in March, keeping him in power until at least 2030.
Putin has been in charge longer than any other Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin, surpassing even Leonid Brezhnev’s 18-year term.
Kremlin Hopes for Putin’s Re-election
When the Moscow State Institute for International Relations (MGIMO) student channel asked what the future president after Putin should be like, Peskov responded, “The same.”
In response to a clarifying question about whether such a thing was possible, Peskov stated, “A different version, but still just like him.”
“Putin has not yet announced his intention to run but I sincerely want to believe that he will do that, and I have no doubt that he will win the elections. I have no doubt that he will continue to be president,” Peskov said.
The presidential election in Russia is scheduled for 17 March 2024. The Russian Federation Council will make an official decision on the election date in December 2023, following which political parties will convene pre-election congresses and formally nominate candidates.
As per the reports, Putin is eligible to run for another term but has yet to make a choice.
Reuters reported earlier this month, citing six sources, that Putin had chosen to run in the March election, which will likely keep him in power until at least 2030.
Putin Not Decided Yet To Run for 2024 Election-Kremlin https://t.co/X01Zv8DWl2 via @eurasianewsnet #Putin #Russia #Election
— Eurasia Media Network (@EurasiaNewsNet) November 14, 2023
Putin’s Decision Yet to be Announced
As per the Reuters report, according to a person familiar with the Kremlin’s thinking, the decision has been made, and Putin’s advisers are preparing for his participation. “The decision has been made - he will run,” a source familiar with the planning said.
“The world we look out upon is very dangerous,” one of the sources said, adding that Putin took the decision recently and that the announcement will be made soon.
Sources claimed, “Russia is facing the combined might of the West, so major change would not be expedient.”
Diplomats believe there is no strong opponent who might threaten Putin’s chances if he runs again. Putin reportedly has 80% acceptance ratings, the state and state media support him, and there is virtually no mainstream public opposition to his prolonged leadership.
Peskov previously indicated that if Putin chose to run, no one could compete with him. The Kremlin has also repeatedly denied reports that Putin is unwell, stating that they are the consequence of Western disinformation.