Vladimir Putin Announces Candidacy for 2024 Russian Presidential Race

Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially declared his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, aiming to secure a fifth term in office. Putin, 71, announced his decision on Friday, and his victory seems highly likely, given his longstanding leadership and the support garnered through Russia's military actions in neighboring Ukraine. If successful, this will extend his 24-year rule, making him the longest-serving leader in Russia since Josef Stalin, albeit with an eight-year stint as prime minister.

The announcement took place during an awards ceremony where Putin honored war veterans with Russia's highest military distinction. One recipient, Lieutenant Colonel Artyom Zhoga, publicly expressed his encouragement for Putin to run again. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had previously mentioned widespread calls for Putin to seek re-election.

The election, scheduled for March 17, received approval from Russia’s Federation Council upper house. However, opposition figures argue that the electoral process threatens democracy, accusing Putin of transforming Russia into a corrupt dictatorship. This perspective has gained traction amid the imprisonment of prominent opposition leaders like Alexei Navalny and Ilya Yashin in recent years.

Despite hopes from opponents that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, coupled with Western sanctions and internal challenges like the failed mutiny in June, might weaken Putin's standing, independent polls indicate strong support for him, with approval ratings surpassing 80 percent. Putin's backers credit him with restoring order and bolstering Russia's influence, particularly after the tumultuous period following the Soviet collapse in the 1990s.

Putin initially assumed the presidency on the last day of 1999, succeeding Boris Yeltsin, and has already surpassed the tenures of previous Russian leaders, including Leonid Brezhnev. His extended presidency has been marked by both domestic and international developments, shaping the trajectory of Russia's political landscape.

 SOURCE: AL JAZEERA