◀ Anchor ▶
In the Russian presidential election, President Vladimir Putin won a fifth term with an overwhelming majority of votes, effectively entering power for life.
The international community, including the EU and the United States, came out to criticize the election, saying it was not fair.
This is correspondent Son Ryeong.
◀ Report ▶
When my name was called among the crowd that filled the square.
‘Vladimir Putin!’
President Vladimir Putin appears at the podium.
President Putin, who was elected for the fifth time with an overwhelming margin of 87% of the vote, repeatedly emphasized a strong Russia.
Occupied Ukraine was also described as ‘returned territory.’
[블라디미르 푸틴/러시아 대통령]
“This is the way forward. We must join hands. We must make ourselves stronger through actions, not words.”
With this election, Putin’s period of power has extended to 30 years.
Due to the constitutional amendments made during his term four years ago, he may rule until 2036, when he is 84 years old.
In effect, it is a life-long ruling.
His biggest political opponents died mysteriously or went into exile abroad, and candidate registration was not allowed, so there were no real competitors.
Wariness toward Western countries and nostalgia for the Soviet era are also analyzed as reasons for the high approval rating.
Of course, there was continued resistance and noise, including large-scale protests by Navalny supporters.
Electronic voting was introduced to encourage voting, and expensive prizes such as apartments, cars, and smartphones were offered, but controversies over various voting frauds, including transparent ballot boxes, ensued.
Western countries, including the European Union and NATO, also criticized the results of this presidential election, saying it was neither free nor fair.
However, President Putin, who gained a strong justification for his rule with a record-high voter turnout of 74%, predicted an even tougher response, even mentioning World War III.
There are concerns that the war with Ukraine will prolong and the conflict with the West will deepen.
This is Son Ryeong from MBC News in Paris.
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