A lot has changed in world since Putin got cemented his position as head of Russian state in 2012. He has successfully fought in Ukrain, Syria and won both. In spite of US sanctions, his country is back to a economic growth trajectory. And if his foes in Washington are to be believed, he has orchestrated a coup in US by manipulating its elections. To summarize Putin remains the most power individual on planet.
Getting reelected as the president of Russian Federations will hardly break a sweat for the KGB veteran, what really matters is if he has decided to quit the race. In an interview with the state news agency TASS, in June 2017, Putin declined to confirm his participation.
With barely four months to go into the election, his indecision is a headache for strategists across continents. From Middle East to China, no one can be sure of policy continuity in any form from Russians if their leadership were to change. While we are certain that the new president has to have blessings from the old one, at least till the day he takes his seat in Kremlin, lack of any heir apparent is not making things any easier.
For a change opposition too is being mobilised. Under Alexey Navalny, the progress party is running an efficient election campaign that is being take not of across the worlds largest country. The fact that an opposition figure has got so close to elections without being intimidated begs itself a question if Putin wants to make a comeback.
Then there is the question of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. At 52 years of age he has already been a president of the state and has served as PM under Putin. His relationship with Putin was almost sure to elevate him at his retirement. That too doesnt seem to be a surety any more.
While the western press is ready to write the epitaph on the man who has brought back glory to the red star country, we would like to wait till middle of next month when the things will be a lot more clearer. One this – that we are sure is that the drama for Kremlin has just begun
