Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has clarified that the Russian presidential elections will proceed as scheduled in 2024, despite suggestions to the contrary from Chechnya’s leader, Ramzan Kadyrov. The announcement comes amid a period of heightened political tension, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Peskov emphasized that President Vladimir Putin had already addressed the issue of the upcoming elections in his speech to the Federal Assembly. The Russian leader underscored the importance of adhering to democratic norms and the constitution. This sentiment was echoed in a statement by Peskov, as reported by Reuters, where he was quoted saying, “We proceed from President Putin’s statement… (where he) emphasized the need to comply with all the requirements of democracy, the constitution and, accordingly, to hold these elections.”
The Kremlin spokesman also noted that Putin is virtually unchallenged in the political landscape, stating that “virtually no one can compete with Putin electorally.” This perspective aligns with the prevailing sentiment in Russia, especially during a time when the nation is experiencing an unprecedented consolidation around the president and his policies. Peskov elaborated that Putin’s leadership is so dominant that it’s unlikely anyone could even theoretically pose a challenge to him in the electoral arena. This view was reiterated in a report by Reuters, which also highlighted Peskov’s statements.
Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Chechnya, had earlier proposed the idea of either canceling the elections or holding them with Putin as the sole candidate. Kadyrov made this suggestion during a large-scale event in central Grozny, timed to coincide with Putin’s birthday. He praised Putin for his honesty and commitment to the Russian people, stating that the president “never abandons his people” and “does his best to preserve the team.”
The Chechen leader also took to his Telegram channel to laud Putin’s leadership, particularly during challenging times when Russia was in a state of crisis. Kadyrov wrote that Putin “led the country in the most difficult period” and “did not abandon the country to his fate.”
According to Russian law, the presidential elections are slated to be held on the third Sunday of March 2024. The Federation Council will make the final decision on the exact date of the elections no earlier than 100 and no later than 90 days before the vote. In February 2023, Putin declared that the elections would be conducted in strict compliance with the law and democratic procedures.
Despite suggestions from some quarters to postpone or alter the format of the upcoming presidential elections, the Kremlin has affirmed its commitment to holding the elections as per the schedule. Both President Putin and his spokesman Dmitry Peskov have emphasized the importance of adhering to democratic norms and the constitution, thereby setting the stage for what promises to be a pivotal moment in Russian politics.
