Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo: TASS).
Russian media on December 16 quoted Andrei Turchak, a senior official of the United Russia (UR) party, as saying that Putin would not run as a candidate of the UR even if he received absolute support.
Instead, he will run for re-election 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 Federation Council of Russia (the upper house of the Russian parliament) 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 for 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 again 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.
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