The Russian leader has led the country since 1999, alternating between the positions of prime minister and president; Opponents compete in elections
Russian President Vladimir Putin (71 years old) won the elections and will remain in charge of the country until at least 2030, according to Russian state television based on preliminary data from the Central Election Commission. So far, 99.43% of the votes have been counted, and the Russian President received 87.32% of the votes.
A poll of voters exiting the polls conducted by the Russian government agency Vsium (Russian Center for Public Opinion Research) shows that Putin won 87% of the votes. There are only 3 candidates besides him compete presidency, but none of the contenders had a chance to win. The opposition in Russia accuses them of this “Dolls” Participation in the elections will only be to give an atmosphere of legitimacy.
Below are the other names and locations of each:
- Nikolai Kharitonov (II) – 4.32% of the votes;
- Vladislav Davankov (III) – 3.79% of the votes;
- Leonid Slutsky (the fourth) – 3.19% of the votes.
By confirming his re-election, Putin will move beyond the time of the government of Joseph Stalin, who led the Soviet Union for 28 years and 11 months (1924-1953). The current president has ruled Russia for nearly 25 years. It will be his fifth term.
Since 1999, he has alternated between the positions of Prime Minister and President. In 2020, the Russian leader issued a change to the constitution. This measure allows him to remain in power until 2036 if he wins this year's elections and the 2030 elections.
The elections, which entered their third day on Sunday, are witnessing competition after politicians' candidates were rejected.
Putin began his political career in August 1999, at the age of 46, when he was appointed Prime Minister by then-President Boris Yeltsin, Russia's first president after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Before assuming the position of head of government, Putin was a member of the Committee for State Security (KGB) from 1975 to 1991. In 1998, when the name of the intelligence agency was changed to the FSB, he was appointed director of the organization.
Nepotism
In opinion polls that preceded the elections, the Russian president appeared with 75% of voting intentions, a difference of 69 percentage points from Vladislav Davankov, who ranked second in the poll.
Read more about the Russian elections:
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