Sources within the Kremlin have revealed that President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has decided to run in the upcoming March 2024 presidential election, further extending his hold on power and potentially governing until at least 2030.
Six anonymous sources, known for their familiarity with Russian politics, disclosed this decision to Reuters, underlining Putin’s perception of the critical and challenging period Russia is currently navigating.
Putin’s Incredible Tenure
This decision comes after Putin successfully managed a potentially volatile situation involving the leader of the Wagner mercenary group in June, averting an armed mutiny.
In the lead-up to the 2024 election, Putin has focused on consolidating support among his core base, including security forces, the armed forces, and regional voters outside of Moscow.
The defense, weapons, and overall budget spending have seen substantial increases, and Putin has been making numerous public appearances, even in remote regions of the country.
War In Ukraine
One source stated, “The decision has been made – he will run,” while another confirmed that the decision had been reached, and Putin’s advisors were preparing for his participation.
Three additional sources corroborated the decision to run in the March 2024 presidential election. All sources spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of Kremlin politics. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that President Putin had not officially commented on his re-election, stating, “The campaign has not been officially announced yet.”
Putin’s Unprecedented Longevity
Vladimir Putin, who assumed the presidency at the end of 1999, has already served as Russia’s president for a longer period than any other Russian leader since Josef Stalin, surpassing even Leonid Brezhnev’s 18-year tenure.
Analysts and diplomats agree that there are no serious rivals who could challenge Putin’s electoral prospects, given his high approval ratings of around 80%, strong state support, and control over state media.
Moreover, mainstream public opposition to his continued rule remains minimal.
Russia’s Challenges
Despite his apparent electoral strength, Putin faces a multitude of challenges that could make his extended rule fraught with difficulties. The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to the most significant confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Western agreements triggered by the conflict have delivered a substantial external shock to the Russian economy, causing inflation and a weakened ruble.
Draft government plans suggest that defense spending will account for nearly one-third of Russia’s total budget expenditure in 2024.
Direct threats to Putin’s rule emerged in June when Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russia’s most powerful mercenary leader, led a short-lived mutiny. Tragically, Prigozhin lost his life in a plane crash two months later, and Putin subsequently expanded the influence of his allies over the remaining elements of the Wagner force, utilizing the Defense Ministry and the National Guard.
While Western nations have labeled Putin as a war criminal and dictator, Putin frames the war in Ukraine as part of a broader struggle with the United States, aimed at dismembering Russia and seizing its abundant natural resources.
However, for some Russians, the conflict has laid bare the vulnerabilities of post-Soviet Russia, prompting concerns of a brittle system of corrupt loyalists that may lead to chaos rather than stability.
“Russia is going backward,” warned Oleg Orlov, a prominent human rights advocate in Russia. “We left Communist dictatorship but now have returned to a different kind of dictatorship.”
