Putin will seek another presidential term in Russia, extending his rule of over two decades

Vladimir Putin has made the decision to extend his enduring and unyielding control over Russia for an additional six years, as reported by state media. This move comes as no surprise, given Putin’s widespread support, which has endured for nearly a quarter-century, despite his involvement in a costly war in Ukraine, resulting in the loss of thousands of Russian lives, internal attacks, including one on the Kremlin itself, and a diminishing perception of Russia’s invincibility.

In June, there was a brief uprising led by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, leading to speculation that Putin’s grip on power might be slipping or that it would tarnish his strongman image. However, Putin has emerged from this challenge without any lasting damage, and Prigozhin’s untimely death in a mysterious plane crash two months later reinforced the perception that Putin remained in absolute control.

Approximately 80% of the population still approves of Putin’s performance, according to the independent pollster Levada Center. This support may stem from genuine approval or could be the result of a populace hesitant to criticize a leader whose crackdown on opposition has made even mild dissent a perilous endeavor.

Whether this support is genuine or coerced, it is highly likely that Putin will face only token opposition in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for March 17, 2024.

Putin, currently 71 years old, has utilized his political influence to amend the constitution twice, allowing him the possibility of staying in power well into his mid-80s. He already holds the record for being the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin.

In 2008, when he temporarily stepped aside to become prime minister due to term limits, presidential terms were extended from four to six years. In addition, another set of amendments pushed through three years ago reset the term count, effectively allowing him to run for two consecutive terms beginning in 2024.

“It is clear that he is afraid to relinquish power,” remarks Dmitry Oreshkin, a political analyst and professor at the Free University of Riga, Latvia.

During the period when these amendments were introduced, Putin’s approval ratings were significantly lower, hovering around 60%. Some analysts believe that this dip in popularity may have been a driving force behind the war Putin initiated in Ukraine in February 2022.

Commentator Abbas Gallyamov, a former Putin speechwriter now residing in Israel, suggests, “This conflict with Ukraine was necessary as a glue. He needed to consolidate his power.”

However, the war did not unfold as Putin had anticipated. Instead of a swift victory, it became a protracted conflict with neither side making substantial progress. This posed severe challenges to the rising prosperity that had contributed to Putin’s popularity, as well as to the Russian people’s willingness to overlook issues of corruption and diminishing tolerance for dissent.

Philip Short, the author of the 2022 book “Putin,” speculates that Putin had initially hoped to implement a political transition before 2024 to avoid standing for reelection. However, his struggles in Ukraine forced him to remain in power.

Carnegie Europe scholar Tatiana Stanovaya suggests that Putin believes in the responsibility of serving the state, even in challenging times, which is why he remains in his post.

Despite the passing of time, Putin shows little sign of slowing down. While photos from 2022 raised questions about his health, recent public appearances have revealed little change in his demeanor.

Putin’s rule has spanned five U.S. presidencies, from Bill Clinton to Joe Biden. He assumed the role of acting president on New Year’s Eve in 1999 and was elected to his first term in March 2000. When term limits forced him to step down in 2008, he transitioned to the position of prime minister while Dmitry Medvedev served as a temporary president.

The decision to run for a new term in 2012, with Medvedev’s acquiescence in becoming prime minister, sparked significant public protests, with crowds of 100,000 or more taking to the streets.

As the 2024 election approaches, Putin’s role as a wartime leader and his ability to rally the population behind him may well be the key message in his campaign, depending on the state of affairs on the battlefield.

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More about Russian Presidency

• Vladimir Putin’s official biography
• Levada Center – Independent Pollster
• Analysis of Putin’s Leadership
• Ukraine Conflict Overview