Vladimir Putin is set to run for president once again, opting to be an independent candidate rather than aligning with a specific party, as reported by Russian news agencies on Saturday, citing a gathering of over 700 supporters from political, sporting, and cultural spheres in Moscow. This initiative group unanimously endorsed Putin's nomination.
Despite having the full backing of the ruling United Russia (UR) party, Putin has chosen not to run on its ticket, confirming his status as an independent candidate. The decision was announced by Andrei Turchak, a senior UR party official, who highlighted that Putin, a founding member of United Russia, will engage more than 3.5 million party members and supporters in the upcoming election campaign.
Sergei Mironov, a prominent figure from the Just Russia party supporting Putin, also affirmed the president's decision to run as an independent candidate. Plans include the collection of signatures in support of Putin's candidacy.
With over two decades of leadership experience as either president or prime minister, Putin has declared his intent to seek another six-year term in the March 2024 election. The backing from the state, state-run media, and minimal mainstream public dissent positions Putin as the anticipated winner.
Supporters argue that Putin has successfully restored order, national pride, and some of Russia's lost influence since the Soviet collapse. Additionally, they justify his military actions in Ukraine, which Putin refers to as a "special military operation."
Over the years, a crackdown on opponents and critics, coupled with stringent laws targeting "fake news" and "discrediting the army," has resulted in long jail terms for dissenters and critics. Many have fled abroad as the space for dissent continues to diminish.
