Vladimir Putin will seek re-election in May 2024, quietly confirming his decision during a ceremony honoring soldiers in mid-December.
++ Zelensky seeks US financial support in war against Russia
Ekaterina Duntsova, a journalist at a television station in Rzhev, surprised by announcing her intention to run for President of Russia, presenting herself as a real alternative. At 40 years old and a single mother of three children, Duntsova highlights the need for democratic representation in a scenario where, according to her, many defenders of this ideal face imprisonment, restriction of rights or exile.
++ Chamber of Deputies approves Biden impeachment inquiry
However, there are significant challenges for Duntsova. While Putin was nominated as a candidate for the nationalist-conservative United Russia party, she does not yet have the support of any party and must collect 300,000 signatures from supporters by January 31, 2024 to make her candidacy official. Regarding the situation in Ukraine, the presidential aspirant defends peace, avoiding labeling the conflict as a war.
Duntsova, aware of the risks in challenging Putin, chooses her words carefully to avoid violating laws that punish discrediting the Army. Facing obstacles such as her bank account being blocked after applying for financial support online, she remains hopeful despite the challenges. Aware of condemnations from prominent Putin critics, she expresses optimism amid difficulties, highlighting the need to overcome obstacles together, even in the face of possible disruptions and pressures. “The outlook may not be the best. We have all seen what happens to those who want to make their positions known, one way or another. They are classified as foreign agents or prosecuted. But I want to believe in the best possible outcome “, he stated in an interview with Deutsche Welle.