Immerse yourself in a political scene straight out of a Russian novel. In the majestic city of Moscow, a gathering of delegates from United Russia, the ruling party, has unanimously flagged their endorsement for their beloved stronghold, President Vladimir Putin, to contest yet again for the presidential elections in 2024. The news danced among the state agencies as Putin’s loyalists ceremonially nominated him on a gloomy Saturday, transcending party lines to signal his participation as an independent in the coming electoral ballet.
But a fresh breeze was also felt with another presidential aspirant, an underdog championing peace in Ukraine, inching closer to formal candidacy via support from an enthusiastic crowd of 500 plus in the grand Moscow itself.
Dmitry Medvedev, the charismatic chairman of United Russia and a former premier, passionately urged for the galvanization of every activist and supporter for bolstering Putin's campaign scheduled for March 15-17. With a keen eye on campaign integrity, Medvedev appealed to the masses to ward off any disruption or influence during the campaign, to thwart the spread of faux or harmful news, and to maintain the pristine public order.
Medvedev, in his inspiring speech, presented Putin as 'our candidate', emphasizing on the logical, legitimate, and indisputable aspect of the latter's quest for a fifth term, eloquently underscoring decades of unshaken allegiance to the greatness of Russia.
Presidential elections, a grand dance with the destiny of nations, often bear a predictable rhythm in Russia. Putin's victory in 2024 seems a fait accompli that only a few dare question. With most potential challengers locked behind bars or seeking refuge abroad and a tight grip on independent media outlets, Putin continues a streak of unparalleled political dominance.
Adding flavor to the narrative, a stunning ensemble of top-drawer United Russia officials, noted public figures, including Russian actors, singers, athletes, officially nominated Putin to run as an independent. This ticked off another box of mandatory requirements under electoral law, the gathering of endorsements from a minimum of 500 supporters.
Amid these political maneuvers, a remarkable character has popped up on the radar. Ekaterina Duntsova, a former journalist and mother of three, managed to wriggle through the intimidating hoops of election participation. A former local legislator and a vocal advocate for peace in Ukraine and the release of imprisoned Kremlin critics, Duntsova was endorsed by 521 supporters, and she now stands as a beacon of hope, albeit shadowed by fear.
In a move straight out of a Hitchcock thriller, electricity reportedly vanished at the venue where Duntsova's supporters had convened—an incident shrugged off as a minor snag when compared to the refusal of entry to some supporters by building security. In spite of these speed bumps, the meeting went ahead unimpeded.
This twisting electoral saga evokes intrigue around Putin's method of cruising into the presidency through different paths. In 2018, he ran as an independent, and before in 2012, he elected to bear the United Russia banner into the electoral battlefield.
Poised to run yet again as an independent, Putin stands at the cusp of eternal power, thanks to constitutional reforms he masterminded. This uncanny sense of survival could see him extend his reign until 2036, a remarkable testimonial to his undisputed power. Who knows what awaits Putin and the beautiful nation of Russia in the upcoming dance of democracy!
