Highlights: In Russia, Vladimir Putin on his way to a new mandate. At the end of a vote more locked than ever in Russia, and official figures of record participation and ballots on his name. The inauguration of the head of state is scheduled for May 7. A reshuffle, certainly limited, will take place afterwards with an internal roadmap focused on the fighting in Ukraine, as we know. And to finance it: tax increases which are already making people cringe in Russia.“No one has ever managed to do something like this in history. It didn't work today and won't work in the future”

At the end of a vote more locked than ever in Russia, and official figures of record participation and ballots on his name, Vladimir Putin is preparing to begin a fifth term...

In Russia, Vladimir Putin on his way to a new mandate

At the end of a vote more locked than ever in Russia, and official figures of record participation and ballots on his name, Vladimir Putin is preparing to begin a fifth term at the head of Russia until 2030 As head of state and as war leader.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a tour of his campaign headquarters after the Moscow presidential election in Moscow, Monday, March 18, 2024. © Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP

By: Anissa El Jabri Follow

From our correspondent in Moscow,

plebiscite announced, and unsurprisingly perceived and presented

by the

Russian head of state

as a blank check for his war in Ukraine.

This is evidenced by the symbolic official results: in Belgorod, particularly bombarded in recent days and

especially during the last three days of voting

, Vladimir Putin would have collected 96.45% of the votes, according to the latest results transmitted.

As expected, the figures are just as canonical in the territories of Ukraine occupied since 2022: 95% in the Donestk region, 92% in the Zaporizhia region.

The

Russian head of state presents to the world, on the night of Sunday March 17 to Monday March 18, a Russia

that does not intend to change anything during its military action, quite the contrary: "

It doesn't matter who wants to intimidate us or no matter who wants to crush us or to what extent, whether it is our will or our conscience

, he said

.
No one has ever managed to do something like this in history.
It didn't work today and won't work in the future.

A vote to coincide with 10 years of annexation of Crimea

This election was planned to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the annexation of Crimea.

Ultimately, there has been very little talk about it in recent months in Russia.

Celebrations did take place, but very discreet and very limited to the territory of the annexed peninsula.

Monday evening, however, a concert should be held on Red Square in Moscow: installations have been visible there for several days.

This is usually where the president thanks his voters and also implicitly gives future directions for the country.

Vladimir Putin gave some elements on Sunday evening.

He held a long press conference late in the evening, until two in the morning Moscow time.

On the domestic front, again unsurprisingly, its hold and control over the country will further strengthen.

There is no death penalty in Russia, but “

we will treat traitors as if they were in a war zone

,” he said.

Rise of a new generation of “

princes of the system
”?

This presidential stage past, Moscow is buzzing with rumors

of possible changes in the workings of power

, and there is particular mention of a rise to the forefront of the generation below that of Vladimir Putin.

For the moment, the few who have climbed a few steps are associated with what we can call the “

princes of the system

”: the sons of Vladimir Putin’s traveling companions.

The elites still have many weeks to observe themselves: the inauguration of the head of state is scheduled for May 7.

A reshuffle, certainly limited, will take place afterwards with an internal roadmap focused on

the fighting in Ukraine

, as we know.

And to finance it: tax increases which are already making people cringe in Russia.

Also read: “Who else, apart from Putin?”

On the third day of the Russian presidential election, the plebiscite is underway

In Russia, Vladimir Putin on his way to a new mandate

In Russia, Vladimir Putin on his way to a new mandate

A vote to coincide with 10 years of annexation of Crimea

Rise of a new generation of “

princes of the system
”?

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In Russia, Vladimir Putin on his way to a new mandate

In Russia, Vladimir Putin on his way to a new mandate

A vote to coincide with 10 years of annexation of Crimea

Rise of a new generation of “ princes of the system ”?

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Rise of a new generation of “

princes of the system
”?