Vladimir Putin Returns to Lead Russia Until 2024

Jakarta -Appropriate predictions, Vladimir Putin re-elected as President of Russia after winning the election held on Sunday (18/3/2018) local time.

Reported by Reuters on Monday (19/3), although only about 70% of votes already counted, Putin get 75.9% of the vote. With this victory, he will still lead Russia for the next six years or until 2024.

“It is important to maintain unity.We will think about the future of this country,” Putin told his supporters.

He admits there will be many challenges to face, but Russia has a chance to move forward.

Putin has been in the center of government, both as prime minister and president, since 2000. If his tenure is fulfilled until 2024, then he will rule for almost a quarter of a century.

Noted only Josef Stalin has ever been in power in the country.

Putin’s election also comes amid great pressure from Western nations on both Russian support for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, the conflict in the Crimea, British accusations of Russia’s involvement in nervous toxic attacks on former Sergei Skripal spies, as well as allegations of US related to Russia’s involvement in the 2016 Presidential Election.

Meanwhile, Pavel Grudinin who is a candidate of the Communist Party gets 13% of the vote, while Vladimir Zhirinovsky gets about 6% of the vote. The opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been banned from participating.

The opposition accuses government officials of forcing a fine enactment in order for citizens to participate in the elections. Navalny said the election is neither transparent nor fair and he is expected to call for re-election.

Source: Reuters