Russian President Vladimir Putin (RT photo / Semyon Khorunzhy)
Shaun Walker, The Guardian: Russia in 2018: Putin's re-election and a World Cup, but what else?
The president seems certain to be re-elected in March, but the manner of his win will influence how the year develops.
Barring severe illness or the most extraordinary electoral upset of the 21st century, Vladimir Putin will end 2018 in the Kremlin, having won a new six-year mandate in March elections that will take his rule over Russia to 2024.
Even if the result is in little doubt, the manner of Putin’s victory will influence how the year develops. With no real opposition candidates taking part, victory is ensured but the Kremlin is worried about turnout, as political apathy grows, and a low one would ring alarm bells.
The one opposition politician running a real campaign, Alexei Navalny, has been barred from the ballot, and the Kremlin will be doing everything to ensure he does not “mar” the victory with calls to boycott the vote and for nationwide protests.
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WNU Editor: For Russians the number one priority is the economy and sanctions. This has always been Russian President Putin's Achilles Heel, and it will be in 2018. And while I do expect him to win the Presidential election in March .... after-all there are no real opposition candidates on the ballot .... the turnout is going to be low. Russian social media is also a barometer on what is the political mood in the country, and from what I am reading the mood is decidedly negative. People want change, and they do not see Putin delivering it. In short .... Putin has become yesterday's candidate. The other issues that concerns Russians is the war in Ukraine, Russia's involvement in the war in Syria, terrorism, chilly relations with many European countries, and the continuation of hostile relations with the U.S. .... though many do give President Trump the benefit of the doubt that this is not his doing. North Korea, China, the Afghan war, climate change, .... for most Russians these are issues that do not concern them.
