But while the election appears to be a formality, it will be held in an increasingly conservative country that has been fundamentally changed by war, where all dissent has been criminalised and with prominent opposition politicians, such as Alexei Navalny and Ilya Yashin, behind bars.
The elections will be different in terms of the ground they cover, with voting taking place in what Russia calls its new territories: parts of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces. "These elections are a means for Putin to legitimise his decision to go to war in Ukraine," said Andrei Kolesnikov, senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, based in Moscow.
Authoritarian leaders like Putin relied on elite support to govern, Kolesnikov said, and the elections and campaigning were also aimed at showing the political establishment he still enjoyed public backing despite Yevgeny Prigozhin's failed insurrection.
Unsurprisingly, therefore, Putin announced his candidacy at an event in the Kremlin honouring Russian soldiers who had fought in Ukraine, one of whom asked if he would run again. In a reply that can only be described as political theatre, Putin said he was not sure whether he would run, claiming he "had different thoughts at different times", but that he realised now was the time to make a decision.
"I will run for the post of president," Putin said, flanked by army personnel and their relatives.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin January 03, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin January 03, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Swiss police make arrests over reported death in 'suicide' pod
Swiss police have opened a criminal investigation and arrested a number of people after the suspected death of a woman in a so-called suicide capsule.
Durán on target from the spot as Aston Villa pass nervy test
As Emiliano Buendía wheeled towards the nearest corner clenching his fists in celebration, in front of the bank of 1,848 travelling Aston Villa supporters, it was the kind of cathartic moment he longed for on the darker days of his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury.
Bolton recall spirit of Allardyce era in pursuit of upset
Wanderers had a reputation for riling Wenger's Arsenal in the early 2000s and they are hoping for another shock
Brook unbowed with masterful ton to drive England home and dry
On a chilly night at Chester-le-Street came an England performance to warm the cockles of the hardy home supporters.
England set to name El-Abd as defence coach after Jones exit
Steve Borthwick is expected to appoint Joe El-Abd as England's new defence coach following Felix Jones's shock resignation amid a summer of upheaval.
Union anger after Boeing makes 'divisive' final offer to end strike
A union representing 33,000 striking Boeing workers has reacted with anger at what the aircraft maker called its \"best and final\" pay offer of a 30% rise over four years.
Brexit checks put plant and flower trade with EU at risk, say UK firms
Exporters of plants and flowers from mainland Europe are turning their backs on supplying Britain as \"painful\" new Brexit border checks are pushing some trading relationships to \"breaking point\", garden centres and nurseries have warned.
Tui expects leap in profits as winter trip bookings rise
Europe's largest travel company expects its annual profits to rise by at least a quarter, helped by people spending more on winter breaks to sunny destinations such as Egypt, Cape Verde, Thailand and Mexico.
Interest rates unlikely to go to near-zero again, Bank governor says
The governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, has said he expects interest rates to fall gradually but warned consumers not to expect a return to near-zero levels.
Firms question pre-budget timing of investment event
Business leaders have warned that the government's plans for a major global investment summit are in danger of falling flat, amid growing frustrations over the high costs of involvement and its timing two weeks before the budget.