Putin To Run for Re-election in 2024
Putin Endeavors To Continue His Over 20 Year Reign
Overt Operator
November 08, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made the decision to run for another term in Russia's 2024 presidential election, according to a Reuters report on Monday. The report, citing six anonymous sources, stated that Putin's decision to run again comes as no surprise, considering the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which he authorized.
"The decision has been made — he will run," one source revealed to Reuters. If Putin wins the election, it would be his fifth term as president. The path to his reelection was paved in 2020 when the Russian population overwhelmingly approved an overhaul to the national constitution.
If Putin secures another landslide victory, he could potentially remain in power until 2036, assuming he serves two more back-to-back terms. By that time, he would be 83 years old.
Putin has been in power since 2000, and previous changes to the law in 2020 allow him to run for two additional terms in the Kremlin once his current term ends in 2024. These changes "reset" the number of terms he has already served, which dates back to 2000, excluding Dmitry Medvedev's presidency from 2008 to 2012.
According to sources cited in the Reuters report, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions have made a major change in political leadership unfavorable.
"Major change [in political leadership] would not be expedient," one source told media, adding that Russia is facing significant pressure from the combined might of the West. Another source, granted anonymity due to the sensitive nature of Kremlin politics, emphasized that the world is currently a very dangerous place. An anonymous foreign diplomatic source also mentioned that Putin's official announcement is expected to come "soon."
This decision is not entirely unexpected, as Putin hinted at his intentions as early as 2020. During a press conference, he stated that he would consider running for president again if the proposed constitutional changes were approved.
The 2024 presidential election will be closely watched, both domestically and internationally, as it will shape the political landscape of Russia for the years to come. As Putin prepares to potentially extend his rule, the world waits for his official announcement, which is expected to provide further clarity on his intentions.