The political faction within the Russian presidential administration, led by Sergei Kiriyenko, has made selections of potential "partners" who will be positioned as contenders against Vladimir Putin in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections, Meduza reports.
Sources close to the Kremlin, as disclosed by Meduza, emphasize that age is a pivotal criterion in this selection process. The stipulation is that the list of registered candidates should exclude individuals below the age of 50. The rationale behind this criterion is that the presence of comparatively younger politicians on the ballot could potentially alter the perception of 70-year-old Putin as the authoritative figure who ascended to power with a strong hand.
As of now, aside from Putin, it is anticipated that representatives from three parliamentary parties—the "Communist Party of Russia," the "Liberal Democratic Party," and "New People"—will enter the electoral race.
The Kremlin's choice for the Communist Party of Russia is Gennady Zyuganov. His recognition by the public due to his role as the party leader and his familiar surname contributed to his selection. However, insiders close to the presidential administration assert that Zyuganov is unlikely to attract new voters. His past election performances, receiving 17% of the vote in 2008 and 18% in 2012, demonstrate a stable rating. This stability is significant for the Kremlin's ambitions, as it aims for a "record result" in the upcoming elections, with Putin securing over 80% of the vote and the participation of more than 70% of voters.
The "Liberal Democratic Party" candidate is expected to be Leonid Slutsky, the party's leader. It is suggested that Slutsky's own motivation for entering the elections is driven by a desire for personal publicity. A source affiliated with the party leadership echoes this sentiment, noting Slutsky's penchant for being in the spotlight and aiming to enhance his personal fame. To bolster his visibility, Slutsky is currently leading the party's list in regional elections, ensuring his presence on party newspapers' front pages and more frequent appearances during televised presidential debates.
The "New People" candidate poses a more intricate scenario. The Kremlin envisions businessman Alexei Nechayev, the party's chairman, as their choice. Nechayev is characterized as a serious and presentable figure but lacks significant recognition and charisma. His candidacy is designed to maintain a consistent rating without jeopardizing Putin's dominance. Nechayev's consent to this plan is still pending. He recognizes that achieving a substantial vote percentage in the presidential election is unlikely, and he is more concerned with positioning "New People" favorably for the 2026 State Duma elections. A lower presidential election result would, in this view, contribute to that long-term goal.
Despite Nechayev's proposition to nominate Vladislav Davankov, the deputy speaker of the State Duma and a current Moscow mayoral candidate, the presidential administration remains unsatisfied with this option. The Kremlin's insistence on Nechayev's candidacy stems from concerns about age and optics. Davankov, at 39, is considered young and active, which could contrast uncomfortably with Putin's age and potentially spur contemplation about the need for a younger leader. The participation of youthful candidates could trigger discussions about the future, looking beyond Putin's immediate election results and considering the longer-term perspective.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep up to date on world news.
Comments (0)