Vladimir Putin Secures Tight Grip on Power in Russia After Controversial Election
With over half the votes counted, preliminary results show incumbent president Vladimir Putin has won re-election in Russia’s presidential polls. Amid allegations of a stage-managed election devoid of real opposition.
For over two decades, Putin has consolidated power and removed term limits to remain Russia’s longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin. This latest victory will allow him to potentially remain in office until 2036, continuing his authoritarian rule over the country. Most critics and opposition figures have been exiled, jailed or barred from running in what many see as a foregone conclusion to retain Putin’s control.
A Sham Process?
International observers and critics have slammed the election process as a “sham” with no genuine political competition for Vladimir Putin. With the country in the midst of a costly war in Ukraine that has damaged the economy and isolated Russia. The vote appears to have more significance as a display of support for Putin than a free and fair democratic exercise.
Final results are expected to show Vladimir Putin winning over 80% of the vote. Allowing him to extend his presidency into a third decade in the Kremlin. However, acts of defiance like queued protests and firebombing of polling stations indicate growing frustration with Putin’s long domination of Russian politics. It remains to be seen if this was indeed a meaningful mandate. Or simply the inevitable outcome of a stage-managed electoral charade to prolong Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian rule.
