TheCable

President Vladimir Putin of Russia has won a new term of another six years, after receiving 75 percent of the vote in the 2018 presidential election.

The main opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, was barred from the race while Pavel Grudinin of the Communist Party, Putin’s closest rival secured 11.2 percent votes.

The result was in little doubt, given that the Kremlin has steadily tightened its grip over the main levers of power in Russia, including the country’s most-watched television channels.

At the same time, Putin—who enjoys an approval rating of roughly 80%—faced weak opposition composed largely of little-known figures and candidates who had never held elected office.

As a result, the main question ahead of the vote was the size of the turnout, with the Kremlin seeking to surpass a rate of 65% in the 2012 election to legitimize what Putin’s critics say was an uncompetitive vote.

Putin will now face a raft of challenges, from a stagnant economy to managing foreign entanglements in Syria and Ukraine. And he will have to deal with a problem that eventually confronts many longtime leaders: What to do when he reaches the end of what, according to the constitution, should be his last term in power.

Addressing a rally in Moscow after the early results were declared, Putin said voters had recognised the “achievements of the last few years”.