Understanding the 2024 Russian Presidential Elections

Overview of the 2024 Russian Presidential Elections

The 2024 Russian Presidential Elections were held from March 15 to 17, marking a significant event in the country’s political landscape. Incumbent President Vladimir Putin won with 87% of the vote, securing a fifth term in office. This victory is noted as the highest in a presidential election in post-Soviet Russia, with Putin’s inauguration scheduled for May 7, 2024.

Constitutional Amendments and Presidential Eligibility

The 2020 constitutional amendments have significantly impacted the presidency’s term limits and eligibility criteria:

• Term Limits: The amendments established a strict limit of two presidential terms in total but also specified that terms served before the amendment would not count towards this limit. This adjustment effectively allows for the possibility of President Putin serving until 2036, should he continue to be re-elected.

Revised Eligibility Criteria for Presidential Candidates

Following the constitutional amendments, the eligibility criteria for presidential candidates in Russia now include:

• Age Requirement: Candidates must be at least 35 years old.
• Residency Requirement: Candidates are required to have been residents in Russia for at least 25 years.
• Citizenship and Residence Permit: Candidates cannot hold foreign citizenship or a residence permit in a foreign country, at the time of the election or at any time before.

Implications of the Election Results

President Putin’s victory in the 2024 elections underlines his prolonged leadership role in Russia. The constitutional amendments and their implications for term limits and eligibility criteria mark a pivotal shift in the country’s political framework, shaping the future of presidential governance in Russia.