Russian leader a step closer to a fifth term in widely expected announcement, with little doubt over outcome

Vladimir Putin has said he will run for president in the March 2024 election, moving the longtime Russian leader a step closer to a fifth term in office.

The announcement on Friday was widely expected and there is little question about the outcome.

Putin has dominated Russia’s political system and the media for the past two decades, jailing prominent opposition politicians, such as Alexei Navalny and Ilya Yashin, who could challenge him on the ballot. Putin has won previous elections by a landslide, but independent election watchdogs say they were marred by widespread fraud.

Putin’s long-term spokesperson in a previous interview said: “Putin will be re-elected next year with more than 90% of the vote”.

  • tacosplease@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    9 months ago

    My mother is convinced he died a while back and they have been using a body double. I don’t believe that but also have done no research.

    My mother has fallen for dumb news lies before. Anyone else encounter this conspiracy theory?

      • Everythingispenguins@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        9 months ago

        So what would happen if one of the double got assassinated? What would the address by Putin post the death of Puin be like. Would there be conspiracies that the real Putin is a double?

        This seems like it could be a real mess

        • Plopp@lemmy.worldEnglish
          6·
          9 months ago

          “This just in, Vladimir Putin who was seen carried away in pieces to an ambulance after the bomb attack during his speech this morning, has made a quick recovery and is reported to be in good health. He is expected to make an appearance later this evening.”

          • Everythingispenguins@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            9 months ago

            Actually now that I think about it there is a old sci-fi book from the 50/60s which this is sort of the plot. It is called Double Star and it is about a body double getting recurred to stand in for a dead politician to calm political waves. For him to only stay in politics and take over.

        • Cinner@lemmy.worldBEnglish
          21·
          9 months ago

          I’m sure they would call it a deepfake conspiracy. Russian media is heavily controlled and their internet is pretty heavily controlled as well. VPNs are illegal now.

          So chances are the general public would mostly think it’s an American deepfake attack right before the election trying to cause mass panic and election interference.

          Some younger people would know, but they know better than to go around showing too many people.