Putin set to secure sixth term as Russia's leader on March 17
Get ready for another term of Putin in the Kremlin, as Russia officially confirms his victory in the March 17 presidentials. Despite the unanimous vote in the Federation Council, the international community remains skeptical about the fairness of these elections.
Russia's upper house, the Federation Council, chose March 17 as the election date, with polling stations staying open for three days, as per Central Election Commission head, Ella Pamfilova. However, the voting in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, such as Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk, has yet to be decided.
Putin, who hasn't formally declared his candidacy yet, is widely expected to run again. The state-controlled media is already campaigning for his fifth term, with citizens swearing allegiance and promising to vote for him.
Putin's fifth term could potentially bring him closer to Joseph Stalin's record as the longest-serving leader of the Soviet Union. Critics claim that Putin shuts down opposition by intimidating opposition figures, exiling journalists, and arresting dissidents.
In the 2018 vote, Putin gathered 76.69% of the votes, leaving Liberal opposition politician Grigory Yavlinsky in the dust with just 1.05% of the votes. This time around, Yavlinsky has expressed his intention to take part in the election again but may not be a real contender. Putin's main opposition figure, Alexei Navalny, is serving a 30-year prison sentence in a penal colony.
It's no secret that Putin has faced criticism from the international community due to his aggressive foreign policy, including the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Many countries, including the United States and EU, impose sanctions and diplomatic isolation on Russia, which only strengthens Putin's hardline approach towards the West.
Insights:
The Russian media landscape has suffered drastically since Putin came to power. Stricter laws and accusations of propaganda have led many media outlets to censor themselves or leave Russia altogether. Meanwhile, political protest is suppressed, leaving little room for peaceful dissent.
Russia's annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine received international criticism and sanctions. Putin's reaction to this was to reinforce his nationalist stance, further polarizing Russian society and leading to fears of escalating tensions with the West.
Internet Sources:
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