Vladimir Putin enters his fifth presidential term in a country at war without opposition and with censorship. This time, diplomats from several Western countries will miss the ceremony in the Kremlin.
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By his fifth presidential term, Vladimir Putin had concentrated all power in his hands and was mired in a devastating war against Ukraine, in which both countries were suffering heavy losses. On Tuesday, the Kremlin will host another inauguration, officially extending his reign for 6 years.
Po data According to electoral analysts, statistics and media experts, the March 15-17 elections, in which Putin achieved an 87% result (close to what African and Central Asian autocrats typically receive), were the most unfair in modern Russian history.
Ratings falsifications range from at least 22 million to approximately 31.6 million “anomalous” votes, excluding DEGs and “voting” in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.
On April 17, a resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) was adopted calling on member countries to “do not recognize Vladimir Putin as President of the Russian Federation” and “stop all contact with him“, with the exception of humanitarian ones. Representatives of the Russian opposition in exile, including Yulia Navalnaya, have already made similar demands.
This text does not entail any direct consequences; however, several Western states have announced that their representatives will not attend the inauguration on May 7.
According to Radio Liberty, those who openly refused to participate in the ceremony Baltic countries, Czech Republic, Great Britain and Canada joined Germany, which recalls its ambassador for consultations after accusing Moscow of hacking attacks on the SPD in January 2023. The diplomat is said to be staying in Berlin for a week.
Dmitry Peskov did not disclose the list of foreign guests in the St. Andrew’s Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, RIA Novosti writes.
“Gifts” from the Russian army for the inauguration and Victory Day
Over the past few weeks, Russia has been intensifying its offensive against the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donetsk region, while Ukraine is experiencing a shortage of people and ammunition. At the same time, shelling of Russian border regions with the help of drones and missiles does not stop.
According to analysts, the Kremlin seeks to “please” the domestic Z-public and capture Chasov Yar for Victory Day on May 9. Associated Press talks about “scorched earth” tactics and compares the efforts to take this important height, which could become a springboard for a further offensive of the Russian group in the direction of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, with the months-long bombing of Bakhmut and Avdeevka.
What to expect from the new term?
The irremovable Russian president is expected to renew the government at the beginning of the next term: according to the constitution, the cabinet resigns after the inauguration.
Putin can either reappoint current technocrat Prime Minister Mishustin and key government members, including Defense Minister Shoigu, to the Duma, or make new appointments to continue the militarization of the Russian economy.
Experts believe that now that Putin has six more years in power, the government may take unpopular steps: raise taxes to finance the war and send more men to the army.
