Russia's 2024 election: Vladimir Putin to run in March presidential election

Vladimir Putin has decided to run the presidential election scheduled for March next year, a move that could extend his time in power until at least 2030. Putin’s decision comes as he believes he must guide Russia through what is considered one of the most challenging periods in decades, six sources told Reuters. Putin, who was handed the presidency by Boris Yeltsin on the last day of 1999, has already served as president for longer than any other Russian ruler since Josef Stalin, beating even Leonid Brezhnev’s 18-year tenure. The sources, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of Kremlin politics, said that news of Putin’s decision had trickled down and that advisers were now preparing for the campaign and a Putin election. For Putin, who opinion polls show enjoys approval ratings of 80% inside Russia, the election is a formality if he runs: with the support of the state, the state media and almost no mainstream public dissent, he is certain to win. Having assumed the presidency at the end of 1999, following Boris Yeltsin, Putin has already served as president longer than any other Russian leader since Josef Stalin, surpassing even Leonid Brezhnev’s 18-year tenure. Sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of Kremlin politics, have confirmed that news of Putin’s decision has circulated, and advisers are now preparing for his election campaign. Given Putin’s high approval ratings of around 80% within Russia, the election is seen as a mere formality if he chooses to run. With the backing of the state, state-controlled media, and minimal mainstream public opposition, his victory is almost guaranteed. “The decision has been made - he will run,” said one of the sources who knows planning. A choreographed hint is due to come within a few weeks, another source said, confirming a Kommersant newspaper report last month. Another source, also acquainted with the Kremlin’s thinking, confirmed that a decision had been made and that Putin’s advisers were preparing for Putin’s participation. Three other sources said the decision had been made: Putin will run. “The world we look out upon is very dangerous,” said one of the sources. A foreign diplomatic source, who also requested anonymity, said Putin made the decision recently and that the announcement would come soon. While many foreign diplomats, spies and officials say they expect Putin to stay in power for life, there has until now been no specific confirmation of his plans to run in the March 2024 presidential election. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment. Peskov said in September that if Putin decided to run, then no one would be able to compete with him. The Kremlin has dismissed reports that Putin was unwell as disinformation spread by the West. With inputs from agencies.