-Putin to run for another presidential term
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he would run for the presidential election in 2018.
'Yes, I will be a candidate for elections to be held next year,' Putin said in an event held at a workers' factory in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod city.
Analysts are very positive that Putin will protect his seat in the elections that will be held on March 18, 2018, the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea by Russia.
According to a survey recently published by the Russian Public Opinion Foundation (FOM), 68 percent of Russians plan to vote for Putin in the elections. The survey results show that Putin's closest competitors in the elections are Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Vladimir Jirinovski with 7 percent of the votes and the Communist Party leader Gennadiy Zyuganov with a 4 percent share.
Opposition activist and anti-corruption fund founder Alexei Navalny, who is seen as one of Putin's most important competitors, announced that he would run for presidential election despite opposition from Russian authorities.
Kseniya Sobchak, the daughter of St. Petersburg's first mayor, Anatoliy Sobchak and famous Russian television host, recently announced her candidacy. However, Russian media claim that Sobchak's candidacy is a Kremlin-approved step to 'dilute the opposition.”
Following Sobchak, journalist and human rights activist Yekaterina Gordon also announced her candidacy. According to Russian media, Gordon has no chance of being elected but is merely availing of the opportunity for self-promotion.
If elected, Putin, who came to power on the last day of 1999, would have spent a total of 24 years in power by 2024.
Nevertheless, it is unlikely that Putin will have a smooth ride through the presidential process in the new period, despite his significant popular support.
One of the important tests that he will face will be how to tackle implementing a political process in Syria after seven years of civil war.
The Syrian National Dialogue Congress, which was initiated with the participation of Turkey and Iran, plans to be held next February in Sochi and holds a crucial place on Russia’s agenda.
The steps and reforms needed to improve the country’s investment climate, and how best to deal with economic sanctions despite the Ukrainian crisis will be among Putin's important tests. Social expenditure in the country has been particularly hit since the fall in oil prices in 2014.