Putin uses election run-up to emphasize Russia's role as a major world power
Moscow sources reported that Russia on Sunday is set to elect Vladimir Putin to a historic fourth Kremlin term, as the country data-faces increasing isolation over a spy poisoning in Britain and a fresh round of US sanctions. Meanwhile since taking power 18 years ago, Putin has stamped his total authority on the country, silencing opposition and reasserting Moscow's lost might abroad.
Meanwhile polling at around 70%, the macho leader is sure to extend his term to 2024 despite a lackluster campaign ahead of a summer when global attention will be glued to Russia as it hosts the football World Cup. Accordingly Putin has sought to use the election run-up to emphadata-size Russia's role as a major world power, recently boasting of its "invincible" new weapons and continuing Moscow's support for the Syrian regime in a bloody civil war.
Further Putin, who has run under the slogan "a strong president a
strong Russia", has declined to take part in televised debates and shot no
new material for his own campaign advertisements. Moreover early voting has
already taken place in some remote areas, where local election commissions
bring ballot boxes by helicopter and snowmobile. Overall turnout is expected to
be between 63 and 67%.