Presidential elections took place in Russia from March 15th to 17th, 2024, marking the eighth such event in the country’s history. Incumbent president Vladimir Putin claimed victory with an overwhelming 87% of the vote, the highest percentage ever recorded in a post-Soviet Russian presidential election, securing his fifth term in office. With this win, Putin, aged 71, is poised to enter a new six-year term, surpassing Josef Stalin to become Russia’s longest-serving leader in over 200 years if he completes it.
The electoral landscape saw Communist candidate Nikolai Kharitonov securing second place with just under 4% of the vote, followed by newcomer Vladislav Davankov in third, and ultra-nationalist Leonid Slutsky in fourth position.
In his victory speech delivered to supporters in Moscow, Putin pledged to prioritize addressing issues related to what he termed Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, vowing to bolster the nation’s military capabilities. His inauguration is slated for May 7th, 2024.