Vladimir Putin secured a fifth term as Russian President with an unsurprising victory, as initial election results showed a landslide win. Subdued protests and global disapproval serve as reminders of the challenges Putin faces in maintaining control amidst growing discontent.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has secured his fifth term what he hails as a resounding victory in the country’s recent elections, despite widespread criticism of the electoral process as undemocratic and lacking legitimacy. He’s been in power since 1999 and this victory will make him the longest-serving leader in Russia for over 200 years.
Addressing reporters in a post-election news conference, Putin portrayed his win as a validation of his controversial decision to order a military intervention in Ukraine, defying condemnation from Western nations.
“No matter the intimidation or suppression attempts, our will and consciousness remain unyielding,” stated Putin, emphasizing the perceived resilience of his leadership in the face of external pressures.
Preliminary results indicate that Putin has garnered approximately 87 percent of the vote, marking the highest-ever recorded victory in Russia’s post-Soviet era. With over 60 percent of precincts reporting, it appears that Putin’s grip on power will extend for another six years.
In the electoral fray, Communist candidate Nikolay Kharitonov emerged as the distant runner-up, followed by political newcomer Vladislav Davankov and ultra-nationalist Leonid Slutsky.
The voter turnout nationwide reached 74.22 percent, surpassing levels seen in the previous election cycle in 2018.
International Reaction
Both the United States and the United Kingdom have condemned the election, asserting that it neither met the standards of freedom nor fairness. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the results as fraudulent and lacking legitimacy.
The election took place against the backdrop of heightened tensions stemming from Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, a conflict that has persisted for over two years.
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Putin’s ascendancy to power dates back to his nomination as acting president following Boris Yeltsin’s resignation in 1999. He then won his first presidential election in March 2000 and a second term in 2004.
After two stints as president, Putin switched back to being prime minister in 2008 to circumvent a constitutional ban on holding more than two consecutive terms as head of state. But he returned to the presidency in 2012 and won a fourth term in 2018.