2018 Russian presidential election
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| 2018 Russian presidential election | |
|---|---|
 Gajmar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source | |
| Election name | 2018 Russian presidential election |
| Country | Russia |
| Type | presidential |
| Previous election | 2012 Russian presidential election |
| Previous year | 2012 |
| Next election | 2024 Russian presidential election |
| Next year | 2024 |
| Election date | 18 March 2018 |
| Turnout | 67.5% |
| Candidate1 | Vladimir Putin |
| Party1 | Independent |
| Popular vote1 | 56,430,712 |
| Percentage1 | 76.7% |
| Candidate2 | Pavel Grudinin |
| Party2 | Communist Party of the Russian Federation |
| Popular vote2 | 8,659,206 |
| Percentage2 | 11.8% |
| Candidate3 | Vladimir Zhirinovsky |
| Party3 | Liberal Democratic Party of Russia |
| Popular vote3 | 4,154,985 |
| Percentage3 | 5.7% |
| Title | President |
| Before election | Vladimir Putin |
| Before party | Independent |
| After election | Vladimir Putin |
| After party | Independent |
2018 Russian presidential election was held on 18 March 2018 across the Russian Federation. The incumbent, Vladimir Putin, secured a decisive victory, earning a fourth presidential term that would extend his leadership in the Kremlin until 2024. The election occurred against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions following the annexation of Crimea and ongoing conflict in Syria. Key challengers included Pavel Grudinin of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and veteran nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia.
Background and context
The election followed a period of significant political consolidation under Vladimir Putin, who had previously served as President of Russia from 2000 to 2008 and again since 2012, following a term as Prime Minister of Russia. The political landscape was dominated by the United Russia party, though Putin ran as an independent. The date, 18 March, was symbolically chosen as the anniversary of the Crimean annexation, a move widely popular domestically but condemned by the United States and the European Union. Major opposition figure Alexei Navalny was barred from running due to a criminal conviction widely seen as politically motivated, leading his Anti-Corruption Foundation to call for an election boycott. The campaign unfolded amidst ongoing economic challenges from Western sanctions and a military intervention in the Syrian civil war.
Candidates and campaign
Eight candidates were registered by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. The most prominent challenger was Pavel Grudinin, director of the Lenin State Farm and nominee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, who campaigned on social justice and criticism of economic elites. Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, ran on his trademark nationalist platform. Other registered candidates included Ksenia Sobchak of the Civil Initiative party, a television personality positioning herself as a liberal alternative, and Grigory Yavlinsky of Yabloko. The campaign was heavily skewed in favor of the incumbent, with Vladimir Putin receiving overwhelmingly positive coverage on state-controlled media like Channel One Russia and Russia-1, while critical voices were marginalized. Large-scale public rallies, such as those organized by Alexei Navalny, were met with arrests by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Russia).
Conduct and allegations of irregularities
Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe noted a lack of genuine competition and an uneven playing field. The Golos election monitoring movement reported numerous violations, including carousel voting, ballot stuffing, and coercion of state employees and students to vote. The widespread use of webcams in polling stations, promoted by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, was criticized as insufficient to prevent fraud. Allegations of inflated turnout figures, particularly in regions like the Republic of Chechnya under Ramzan Kadyrov, were widespread. The official results were swiftly processed and published, with little recourse for legal challenges.
Results and analysis
Vladimir Putin won a commanding 76.7% of the vote, with a reported turnout of 67.5%. Pavel Grudinin placed second with 11.8%, followed by Vladimir Zhirinovsky at 5.7%. Putin carried every federal subject, with his highest margins in the Republic of Dagestan and the Republic of Tuva. The result was interpreted as a reaffirmation of Putin's authority following the Crimean annexation, despite ongoing economic stagnation. Analysis by political scientists suggested the election served more as a plebiscite on Putin's leadership and foreign policy than a competitive contest. The performance of systemic opposition parties like the Communist Party of the Russian Federation was seen as part of a managed political system.
Aftermath and international reaction
Putin's inauguration was held on 7 May 2018 in the Grand Kremlin Palace. He subsequently appointed a new government, with Dmitry Medvedev remaining as Prime Minister of Russia. International reactions were divided; leaders from China, Belarus, and Serbia congratulated Putin, while officials from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States questioned the election's fairness. The European Parliament adopted a resolution criticizing the process. Domestically, protests organized by Alexei Navalny's supporters in cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg were dispersed by OMON police. The election solidified the political trajectory that would lead to constitutional amendments in 2020, allowing Putin to potentially remain in power beyond 2024.
Category:2018 elections in Russia Category:Presidential elections in Russia