The Russian president has been put forward as a party nominee only once in his more than 20-year political career
Russian President Vladimir Putin has won the unanimous backing of a group of voters who supported his bid to seek reelection next year as an independent candidate. Putin, who is aiming for his fifth term in office, has run as a party nominee only once, in 2012.
On Saturday, a large group of Putin’s supporters, including members of several Russian parties, opinion leaders, artists and athletes, gathered in Zaryadye Hall in downtown Moscow to officially announce the creation of an action group to nominate the incumbent Russian leader. Putin himself was not present.
Russian law mandates that a person must gain the support of a group comprising at least 500 people in order to run as an independent.
After reaching the required quorum, the meeting then proceeded to unanimously support Putin’s candidacy. When asked whether they back his…