For the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin decided to participate in a ‘direct line’ with civilians, combined with a major press conference.
According to RBK office sources familiar with the preparations, the event will take place on December 14.
“A direct line to Vladimir Putin” is a kind of television audience given to Russians. in which the president answers phones and solves problems of ordinary people – from salary delays to road renovations.
In 2022, with the participation of Putin, the Kremlin abandoned major public formats – there was neither a “direct line”, nor a major press conference. Independent media wrote that they were afraid of uncomfortable questions about the invasion of Ukraine. This year, however, Putin’s public presence will be of a pre-election nature, as part of the plan to carry out his re-election, scheduled for March 2024.
Elections in Russia. We know what the result will be
71-year-old Vladimir Vladimirovich, who has been head of state since 2000, has not yet officially announced his candidacy for a new, formally fifth, presidential term. His press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said the head of state enjoys “absolute support of society” and that his victory in the elections, if he runs, will be “obvious.”
Although elections in Russia are only a ritual, in preparation for the campaign Putin began to meet people more actively. The Kremlin has even shortened quarantine for people waiting to contact the president. To meet Putin you now have to spend five days in isolation.
The President of Russia is the only head of state in the world to quarantine everyone he comes into contact with. In the spring of 2020, Putin began meeting face-to-face only with people who had been isolated for two weeks under the supervision of FSO agents. But even such measures did not guarantee that a particular person would be allowed into the same room with Putin.
During and after the quarantine it was necessary to conduct tests. If something raised doubts among doctors, access to the president was closed.
Putin may rule until 2036
In 2021, Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing him to run for two more terms. So he may remain in power until 2036 – almost as long as Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for 38 years.
A few months ago, the Kremlin began preparing for the 2024 presidential elections, in which Putin would like to win more votes than in previous elections. According to RBK sources, governors have been instructed to provide 70 percent. turnout and 75 percent voting for the main candidate.
In the 2018 elections, the Central Election Commission recorded 76.69 percent. votes cast for Putin with a turnout of 67.54%.
Source: Do Rzeczy
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
