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Why Russia's Elections Matter to Putin
Mar 17, 2018 - ISW Press
By Nataliya Bugayova
Originally published on FoxNews.com.
The upcoming Russian presidential elections are critical to President Vladimir Putin. It seems odd to say that when their outcome is not in question (spoiler alert: Putin will win). But even so, they matter a lot—and thus should matter a lot to us too.
The scale of his victory, the number and demographics of Russians who vote, and how rigged the results are perceived to be, are all vital to Putin's continued stability and power.
For one thing, Putin needs broad electoral support either to change the rules so he can remain in power indefinitely or secure another way to exist safely at the end of his term. He will not be able to run for president again in 2024 under the current constitution of the Russian Federation.
Of course, Russians have no real choice in this election anyway, as the Kremlin has prevented viable opposition candidates from participating.
But just winning isn't enough for Putin. He must obtain the same level of popular support he had in the last election, if not more. A diminished margin in his inevitable victory or the perception that he has had to cheat badly to put up a good front could undermine his control.