Putin announces 2018 re-election bid

Could lead until at least 2024

Wednesday, 6th December 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that he plans to run for office at the March 2018 elections.

Opinion polls show that he would likely win comfortably.

"I will put forward my candidacy for the post of president of the Russian Federation," Putin told an audience of workers at a car-making factory in Nizhny Novgorod.

He had earlier refused to declaring his intentions.

The 65-year-old has effectively led the country since 2000.

Victory at the election would see the controversial figure extend his dominance of Russian politics into a third decade, with a term of six years taking him to 2024.

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