Vladimir Putin secures fifth term as President of Russia

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In an election criticized by Western nations as neither free nor fair, Vladimir Putin has secured a resounding victory to extend his grip on power in Russia for at least another six years.
The Russian leader claimed an overwhelming 87.3% of the vote in the presidential election held over three days, his highest-ever tally, with a record turnout of 77.44%. This win marks Putin’s fifth term as president after constitutional changes in 2020 allowed him to circumvent traditional term limits, potentially remaining in office until 2036 when he will be 83 years old.
While leaders from China, North Korea and Iran congratulated Putin, the U.S., Germany, Britain and others dismissed the election as illegitimate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy slammed it as an “imitation” lacking any credibility.
The election was tightly controlled, with the only anti-war candidate barred from running and prominent opposition voices like Alexey Navalny silenced through imprisonment, exile or even death. With no real opposition permitted, the process seemed orchestrated to legitimize Putin’s continued leadership.
Despite economic headwinds of inflation and rising prices, Putin’s popularity remains high among many Russians buoyed by his nationalist rhetoric around the war in Ukraine and image as a strong leader. While met with skepticism abroad, the longstanding Russian president’s firm grip on power appears even more entrenched at home.