Mr. Putin will run as an independent candidate.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo: TASS).

Russian media on December 16 quoted Mr. Andrei Turchak, a senior official of the United Russia (UR) party, saying that Mr. Putin will not run as a candidate of UR even if he receives absolute support.

Instead, he will run again as an independent candidate. He added that Putin's campaign headquarters will be set up after all the nomination procedures are completed. "More than 3.5 million party members and supporters will actively participate in the election campaign," he said.

The Russian Federation Council (the Russian Upper House) voted on December 7 to set the presidential election for March 17, 2024. Mr. Putin has confirmed that he will run for re-election, but has not revealed whether he will run as an independent candidate or represent a party.

Mr. Putin nominated himself in elections held in 2000, 2004 and 2018. In 2012, he ran as a candidate representing the United Russia party.

Mr. Putin, 71, has led Russia since 1999. He served as president from 2000 to 2008 and from 2012 to the present. He also served as prime minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 under President Boris Yeltsin, and continued to hold the position from 2008 to 2012.

In 2021, the Kremlin owner signed a new law allowing him to run for two more terms.

Recent opinion polls show that Mr. Putin is still the most popular politician in Russia.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ong-putin-se-tranh-cu-voi-tu-cach-ung-vien-doc-lap-20231216212347607.htm