Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to run in the March presidential election, which will likely put him in power until at least 2030, as reported by Reuters, citing six sources.
Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin handed over the presidency to Putin in 1999, who has held office ever since, making him the longest-reigning Russian leader since Josef Stalin.
Putin’s Decision to Run for President
According to a source familiar with the Kremlin’s thinking, the decision has been taken, and Putin’s advisors are preparing for his participation. “The decision has been made - he will run,” a source familiar with the plans stated.
Based on three additional sources, the decision to run in the March 2024 presidential election has already been made.
“The world we look out upon is very dangerous,” claimed one of the sources, who added that Putin made the choice recently and that the announcement will be made soon.
One of the sources said, “Russia is facing the combined might of the West so major change would not be expedient.”
As per the sources reported by Moscow Times, the Russian president is campaigning already, as he attends more public events and talks with Russian citizens face-to-face during his trips across the country.
Putin reportedly plans to run in Russia's 2023 presidential election, potentially extending his rule until 2030.
— Swarajya (@SwarajyaMag) November 6, 2023
Despite challenges, he maintains an 80 per cent approval rating.https://t.co/nwNIf7p5ta
However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “The president has not made any statements about this, and the campaign has not been officially announced yet.”
Peskov previously stated that if Putin wanted to run, no one could compete with him. The Kremlin has also refuted rumours that Putin is unwell, claiming that they are the result of Western disinformation.
Diplomats think there is no significant opponent who might undermine Putin’s chances at the polls if he runs again. Reportedly, Putin has 80% acceptance ratings, the state and state media back him, and there is essentially no mainstream public resistance to his continued rule.
Russia’s Current Situation
The war in Ukraine has triggered Russia’s most significant confrontation with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Since the beginning of the war, inflation has surged while the rouble has dropped, and defence expenditures will account for about one-third of Russia’s budget in 2024, based on the government’s plans.
However, with Russian weapons production on the rise and the October price of Urals crude oil, the vital component of Russia’s economy, averaging at US$81.52 a barrel, Moscow has predicted that its $2.1 trillion economy will grow faster than the EU this year.
In what seemed a potential catastrophe at the time, Putin faced a brief failed mutiny in June by Russia’s most powerful mercenary, Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Prigozhin died in a plane crash two months after the rebellion.