Putin announces re-election of Russian president and says “there is no other way”

'I won’t hide that at different times I had different thoughts, but now it’s time to make a decision,& #39 ; Putin said during the announcement. Photo: SERGEY GUNEEV/AFP

The Kremlin later confirmed Putin's decision because «many people» asked him to remain as president.

It also said Putin would attend. at a conference of his United Russia political party next week, although there are rumors he will run as an independent candidate.

Putin crafted the announcement to look like a response to public demand, says Ben Noble , associate professor of Russian politics at University College London.

“That explains the clumsy political theatre,” he said.

Putin has been Russia's leader since he succeeded Boris Yeltsin, who resigned on New Year's Eve 1999.

Later The Kremlin confirmed Putin's decision because «many people» did not accept Putin's decision. asking him to remain president Photo: Mikhail Klimentyev/Pool Sputnik Kremlin

Victory in the next presidential election in March would keep him in power until 2030, and under the current Russian constitution, which he changed, Putin could rule for another term until 2036.

Putin's actual popularity, however, is unclear. Polls of Kremlin-affiliated polling stations put his popularity in Russia at over 70 percent, but there have been no reputable independent polls.

Despite this, Putin appears desperate to use the presidential election to burnish his legacy as a great Russian military leader, as well as to gloss over the suffering of ordinary Russians from his invasion of Ukraine.

Russian military estimates since the invasion 300,000 people died in Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian economy has collapsed, and the government will now spend a third of its total spending on the army.

Victory in the next presidential elections in March will allow Putin to remain in power until 2030. Photo: VALERY SHARIFULIN/AFP

Anti-war demonstrations are banned, but the wives and mothers of the men mobilized last September have vowed to protest until their men are given a break. from the front line.

Tanya Stanovaya, executive director of the think tank R.Politik, said the war is now central to Putin's legacy.

“The nomination is filled with symbolism,” she said . “Putin chose war, war chooses Putin.”

However, an emboldened Putin has looked increasingly confident in the past few months as his forces in Ukraine have fought off a NATO-backed Ukrainian counter-offensive this year and the Russian economy has worked around Western sanctions.

This week he visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia on state visits, flying past fighter jets, wearing a full guard of honor and making passionate speeches about international friendship.

Putin will not face serious opposition in the election because his liberal opponents and key nationalist leaders are in prison. Photo: Contributor#8523328/Getty Images Europe

Russia's Central Election Commission has confirmed that the presidential election will be held over three days, March 15-17, to allow for electronic voting, which the Kremlin tried out in September's regional elections.

Kremlin critics say electronic voting makes it easier to manipulate elections.

Putin will not face serious opposition in the presidential election because his liberal opponents and key nationalist leaders are already in prison.

Even so, Mark Galeotti, a professor at University College London and head of consultancy Mayak, said elections were still important to watch.

“Elections are inherently destabilizing, even if they are shams.” «, — he said. «There has to be some disagreement and debate, even if it's planned, and that can create space for more.»