Policy Backgrounders

Russia's Election

March 20, 2024

Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead™

Russia held a presidential election from March 15-17. While the outcome was never in doubt, some aspects of the election may hold clues to Russia’s future, its economic policies, and the war in Ukraine.

• President Putin, who is 71, won with a reported 87.8 percent of the vote on 74.22 percent turnout – a higher result than in any of his previous elections. Three Kremlin-approved candidates ran against him; two anti-war candidates had been disqualified.
• Some Russians engaged in quiet protests, notably by voting on Sunday at noon in a “Noon Against Putin” protest begun at the request of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
• Putin is likely to make some changes in government, including bringing veterans of the Ukraine war into government and shoring up support in the military and defense sector, part of increasing government control and perhaps a diminished role for the current economic elite in an increasingly militarized economy.