Putin may run for president. How cats become comrades in war

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has received official approval from Russia’s Central Election Commission as the fourth candidate for March’s presidential election.

As returning official Ella Pamfilova announced in Moscow on Monday, the remaining candidates have until January 31 to submit the necessary signatures of eligible voters and documents for registration as candidates.

So far, only candidates who are considered to have no chance or who even support Putin have been admitted. As representatives of the parliamentary parties, they did not have to submit statements of support. The election will take place from March 15 to 17.

The 71-year-old Putin, who has been in power for almost a quarter of a century, did not want to be nominated by the Kremlin United Russia party, but wanted to run as an individual candidate. He had the necessary supporting signatures collected, which now turned out to be valid after a random check. The Russian media reported Putin’s confession as if it were a global sensation, even though there was no doubt about it.

However, the question remains whether candidate Boris Nadezhdin, who is also supported by Russia’s anti-Kremlin opposition, will be allowed to vote. The 60-year-old calls for an end to the war against Ukraine. So far, Nadezhdin has collected more than 200,000 signatures from supporters, some of whom had waited in long lines – about double what is needed.

However, the electoral commission repeatedly declares many signatures invalid due to formal objections. In the sample of 60,000 signatures for Putin’s candidacy, the share of invalid names of supporters was 0.15 percent. There has been speculation for days about whether liberal politician Nadezhdin will be admitted. Many observers rule this out.

Putin’s election victory is considered certain. It would be his fifth term in office, which he made possible through a constitutional amendment. In 2030, the former intelligence chief, who has been waging war against Ukraine for almost two years, could run for office again – as president for another six years. In Russia, the Kremlin candidate has always been declared the winner of the elections. (cst/sda/dpa)