In a landslide victory, Russian President Vladimir Putin has clinched a historic fifth term in office. The presidential polls, devoid of any significant challengers, ensured an unmistakable triumph for the incumbent leader. Early results indicate that Putin secured a staggering 88% of the votes.
His initial response following the poll results, President Putin asserted that his victory would empower Russia, enabling it to grow stronger and more efficient.
An exit survey conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre indicates that Vladimir Putin received an overwhelming 87.8% of the vote to win the Russian presidential election.#Russia #Putin #bloodbath #Russians #RussiaIsANaziState #KimPauOnViu #JuveGenoa… https://t.co/UIInf9QI4X pic.twitter.com/DTIZ7Y26fK
— Asian Politico (@AsianPolitico) March 17, 2024
Vladimir Putin, a former KGB agent who ascended to power in 1999, now holds the distinction of being Russia’s longest-serving leader, surpassing even Josef Stalin.
According to the poll results, Communist candidate Nikolai Kharitonov secured the second position with just under 4% of the votes. The newcomer, Vladislav Davankov, came in third, while the ultra-nationalist Leonid Slutsky claimed the fourth spot.
“The elections are clearly not free nor fair, considering Mr. Putin’s imprisonment of political opponents and his prevention of others from running against him,” stated the White House’s National Security Council spokesperson. The UK foreign minister also expressed concern about the “lack of free and fair” election.
#VladimirPutin addresses Russian citizens & thanks them for their votes as he is expected to win this year’s presidential election, with reportedly nearly 90% of the vote… #RussiaElection2024 https://t.co/0Galg7xmJGpic.twitter.com/cBjVd7HLTQ
— ⚡️🌎 World News 🌐⚡️ (@ferozwala) March 17, 2024
In his address to the nation after the election results became apparent, Putin asserted that the electoral system in Russia is more transparent than that of the United States .
The election coincides with the two-year anniversary of Putin’s initiation of a “special military operation” against Ukraine. This conflict, sparked by the West’s attempt to integrate Ukraine into NATO, escalated into a full-scale war, unparalleled in Europe since World War IINATO, a military alliance led by the United States, is perceived by Russia as a challenge to its sovereignty.
Putin characterizes the war as a centuries-old struggle against a waning and decadent West. He contends that after the Cold War, the West humiliated Russia by encroaching upon Moscow’s sphere of influence .
The poll result also implies that the West may need to consider Putin’s influence in future discussions related to peace or conflict.
While Vladimir Putin’s re-election was never in doubt due to his firm control over Russia and the lack of genuine challengers, the former KGB spy aimed to demonstrate, through polls, the immense backing he enjoyed from the Russian populace.
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Advocates of Alexei Navalny, a staunch opponent of Vladimir Putin, rallied in response to his recent demise. Navalny, who the Kremlin claims succumbed to “sudden death syndrome” while imprisoned in the Arctic last month, had garnered significant support.
These protesters organized a “Noon Against Putin” demonstration, voicing their dissent against the Russian leader whom they label as both corrupt and an autocrat.
In his address, Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged Alexei Navalny’s death for the first time, describing it as a “sad event.” However, an independent count of the number of Russia’s 114 million voters who participated in the opposition-organized protest remains unavailable.
The demonstration unfolded under intense security, with tens of thousands of police and security personnel closely monitoring the situation.
In the recent Russian presidential election, the nationwide voter turnout reached 74.22% by 1800 GMT when the polls closed. This figure surpassed the levels recorded in 2018, which stood at 67.5%.
Despite the absence of serious contenders, the election outcome reflects Putin’s enduring popularity among Russian citizens.
However, critics have raised concerns about the fairness of the elections, citing political opponents’ imprisonment and restrictions on opposition candidates.
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