Putin, on Friday, aims to extend his repressive grip on Russia, announcing candidacy for March's certain victory, state media says.Putin, after nearly a quarter-century in power, maintains broad support despite a costly war in Ukraine, internal attacks, and diminished invincibility.A June rebellion led by mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin sparked speculation about Putin's grip, but his unscathed emergence and Prigozhin's mysterious plane crash affirmed Putin's absolute control.
Putin reveals his candidacy for the March 17 presidential election during a Kremlin award ceremony, as reported by Tass and RIA Novosti state news agencies.Approximately 80% of the population, as per the independent pollster Levada Center, approves of Putin's performance. This support may stem from genuine approval or indicate submission in the face of a leader whose crackdown on opposition makes even mild criticism perilous.
Regardless of genuine or coerced backing, Putin anticipates minimal opposition on the ballot, ensuring a likely uncontested electoral outcome.At 71, Putin has twice leveraged constitutional changes, potentially extending his rule into his mid-80s. Already surpassing Kremlin records, he outlasts all since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.In 2008, Putin yielded the presidency due to term limits, assuming the role of prime minister but remaining Russia's dominant force. Subsequently, he orchestrated amendments, extending presidential terms to six years from four. Three years ago, he secured another set of amendments resetting the term count, allowing two consecutive terms to commence in 2024.
"He fears relinquishing power," remarked Dmitry Oreshkin, a political analyst and Free University of Riga professor, speaking to The Associated Press this year.During the amendments granting him two additional terms, Putin's apprehension about losing power may have heightened; Levada polling indicated a notably lower approval rating, hovering around 60%.
Some analysts posit that the decline in popularity may have been a key motivator for Putin's launch of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.Commentator Abbas Gallyamov, a former Putin speechwriter residing in Israel, asserts, "The conflict with Ukraine was necessary as glue, a means to consolidate his power."
