The 2024 presidential election in Russia has been officially scheduled for March 17 by the nation's lawmakers, potentially paving the way for President Vladimir Putin to secure a fifth term in office. This is reported by several Russian publishers.
Although Putin, aged 71, has not formally declared his candidacy, expectations are high that he will announce his run soon, following the confirmation of the election date.
Putin, who has been a dominant figure in Russian politics, is eligible to run for two additional six-year terms as a result of constitutional reforms he initiated. These reforms extend his potential tenure beyond the conclusion of his current term next year.
The political landscape in Russia, tightly controlled by Putin, virtually guarantees his victory. High-profile opponents who might pose a challenge at the polls are largely incapacitated, with many either imprisoned or living in exile. Additionally, the suppression of most independent media outlets further consolidates his position.
Interestingly, Putin's popularity seems unaffected by the ongoing and costly military operations in Ukraine or the failure of last summer's rebellion led by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Independent polls continue to report high approval ratings for the president.
With the election set for March, Putin's path to maintain power until at least 2030 appears clear, barring any significant political upheavals.
