Putin Eyes Sixth Term, Skips Debates As Russia Registers Candidates for March Election

Russia’s long-serving President Vladimir Putin officially registered for a sixth term on Monday, bypassing pre-election debates in a March vote he’s heavily favored to win. The move fuels critics’ concerns about transparency and limited competition, despite the inclusion of right-wing politician Leonid Slutsky as a candidate.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin

While liberal challenger Boris Nadezhdin secured enough signatures, his approval remains uncertain. Putin, who revamped his term limit in 2020, could potentially rule until 2036. Previous elections have been marred by irregularities, raising concerns about independent monitoring in March.

Written by Boom RadioNG