Russian President Vladimir Putin has clinched a historic victory, securing an overwhelming 87% of the vote in the recent elections, making him the country’s longest-serving president post-Stalin. The election saw a record-breaking 94% turnout, attributed largely to remote electronic voting facilitated by the territorial Election Commission.
In his acceptance speech, President Putin acknowledged the passing of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, stating, “He passed away, it’s invariably a sad development, but there have been other cases where people in prison have passed away.” Putin also emphasized Russia’s resilience throughout history, asserting, “No one has been able to intimidate or suppress us, our will, or our consciousness, and this remains true today and will continue to be true in the future.”
Addressing potential personnel changes in power, Putin expressed satisfaction with the effectiveness of the administrative team, including the government, Central Bank, and presidential administration. He assured a calm and deliberate approach to resolving personnel issues, emphasizing the importance of maximizing teamwork and overall results.
The election results also revealed that 95% of eligible voters participated in online voting, with Putin securing 89% of the total online votes. Despite being labeled opponents, many of Putin’s critics refrained from direct criticism, opting for a cautious approach in light of the fate of real opponents like Navalny. Putin’s re-election marks a significant moment in Russian politics, setting the stage for his continued leadership and shaping the country’s future trajectory.