In 2024, presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in more than 60 countries of the world. About 4 billion people, i.e., half of the Earth’s population, will take part in the voting. Russians will also hold the presidential elections, but purely nominally. In fact, everyone knows the for sure that Putin once again plans to lead the country. Contrary to all international norms and even the requirements of Russian legislation.
It should be noted that Putin has run Russia since 2000. That is, citizens who were born and lived their whole lives during Putin’s reign will turn 24 this year. It is clear that usurpation of power is normal for Russian youth. Longer than Putin, only Joseph Stalin ruled the country called the USSR (which included Russia). Actually, he established a one-party totalitarian system and became a one-man dictator. His followers faithfully maintained this tradition. So, people of the older generation, who lived a significant part of their lives in the USSR, are also used to live in conditions when the country’s leader is replaced only after his funeral.
Throughout the world, democratic elections are one of the necessary conditions for democratic government. This is how the population controls the power in the country. In Russia, the elections have long since turned into a very dangerous farce, because all real Putin’s opponents are either behind bars or have been physically eliminated. Extending Putin’s presidency for the another 6 years means the continuation of his aggressive military policy. In addition to Ukrainian issues, there are a lot of risks and threats for Western countries. And the world is well aware of this.
On October 13, 2023, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution that recognizes the power of Vladimir Putin as illegitimate, as it violates constitution norms. The Assembly also supported the creation of a tribunal to “bring to justice the leadership of Russia, including Putin.” The list of crimes includes the illegal occupation of Crimea, the war in Ukraine, and the shooting down of Boeing 777. The example of the PACE should serve as an example for the US Congress and the parliaments of Western countries, because Putin openly calls them Russia’s enemies.
Of course, the Kremlin will hold presidential elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine (TOT). According to residents of these regions, the local authorities have already used its traditional tactics of intimidation, threats and violence to force people to vote, as they actually did during the September 2022 pseudo-referendums. And this is another gross violation of norms and principles of international law by Russia.
After all, it is not by chance Putin chose the date of the election. It is worth to remind that on March 18, 2024, Russia will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the annexation of Crimea. And the next presidential election of the Russian Federation will be held from March 15 to 17. It is very symbolic for Putin. In this way he sends a clear signal not only to his voters, but also to the entire world that during the next presidential term, he will continue to expand Russia’s borders through military means.
Now Putin is constantly expanding the goals of the military operation, and these are not only about Ukraine. In order to create the prerequisites for a constant build-up of military forces and to justify the high level of combat losses, he constantly manipulates the topic of confrontation between Russia and the West. Actually, he still needs to explain to the people why Russia, with its so-called second army in the world, cannot achieve real success in the war with Ukraine for two years. A certain globalization of the enemy is taking place, and Russia is no longer at war with Ukraine, but resists the onslaught of the “hostile West,” on the territory of Ukraine now. After another re-election of Putin and the final usurpation of power, there is a possibility of further absorption of the territories of Europe by Russia.
This plan must be ruined. Otherwise, Western democracy will be defeated. That is why powerful new sanctions against the illegal re-election of Putin are a necessary step in the comprehensive weakening of Russia and its further international isolation.