Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, faces a forthcoming presidential election with the possibility of another victory next March. The ruling party appears to hold a strong lead, while opposition voices continue to cry foul over rigging and corruption alleged in past ballots. Exiled dissidents, refusing to concede, challenge the Kremlin’s bid for another term. A petition reported by the Central Election Commission of Russia claims that 75,000 signatures are collected, though these signatures may not be valid during the election process. The document also calls for invalidating the Russian leader’s candidacy.
El Periódico de Catalunya, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, has learned that the opposition has compiled 320 complaints across 70 regions of Russia, spanning 89 federal subjects in the country. The same petition asks for action against public administrators and seeks to cancel the candidate’s registration. Beyond irregularities, Putin contends that running for office would violate the Russian Constitution, a claim viewed through the opposition’s lens as conflicting with the Eurasian nation’s Charter. The opposition argues that no single person should serve more than two terms as president, in line with their interpretation of constitutional norms.
In a parallel statement accompanying the complaint, opponents outline their stance: they describe the system as corrupt and say they know what it is. They emphasize that the aim of the petition is to show Russians and the global community that elections in Russia under the current regime do not meet international standards. They label the central election authority as biased and portray the leadership as dictatorial.
special instructions
Vladimir Putin rose to power in 1999 after being chosen by Boris Yeltsin as his successor while Putin was prime minister. Although he did not initially intend to stay, he soon demonstrated a desire to maintain the presidency, except for a period between 2008 and 2012 when Dmitry Medvedev served as president while Putin served as prime minister. The former KGB agent returned to the presidency in 2012 and backed constitutional changes, including legislation perceived as restricting the spread of liberal values. In 2020, the Russian state amended the constitution via a referendum that critics argued lacked transparency, enabling the president to seek re-election for an extended period beyond previous term limits, potentially through 2036. If carried out, these moves would place Putin among the longest-serving leaders in Russia’s history, rivaling figures like Joseph Stalin and Catherine the Great.
For the ruling party, the path to victory appears straightforward, fueling debates about the durability of the opposition. The political dynamic across the country has long included a chorus of candidates, yet a sense of continuity persists. Some candidates from minor parties have expressed skepticism about their prospects. Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party suggested that supporters may vote for Putin regardless of the opposition’s stance and predicted a decisive victory for the incumbent. Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party claimed he would not presume victory while campaigning. Another candidate, Andrei Bogdanov of the Russian Freedom and Justice Party, stated candidly that he does not expect to win. A few others have offered more doubtful assessments, with some indicating they prefer not to speculate about outcomes.
As observers sift through the developments, the dominant question remains whether the electoral process will align with international norms or reflect a different trajectory under the current regime. The dialogue from various candidates and political groups adds layers to a complex and longstanding political landscape that continues to shape Russia’s internal and global image. [Citation: El Periódico de Catalunya, Prensa Ibérica, reporting on opposition petitions and regional complaints]