Why has Vladimir Putin been in power for so long?

Summary

Vladimir Putin, Russia's longest-serving president since Stalin, rose to power in 1999 following Boris Yeltsin's resignation. His handling of the 1999 Moscow apartment bombings boosted his popularity, leading to his election win in 2000. Despite accusations of election rigging and tightening media control, Putin's leadership saw economic growth and improved living standards. His presidency has been marked by increased hostility towards the West, the annexation of Crimea, and allegations of electoral fraud. In 2020, constitutional amendments allowed Putin to potentially remain in power until 2036, facing little real competition and with systemic opposition figures silenced.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ Vladimir Putin became Russia's president on the last day of 1999, following Boris Yeltsin's resignation.
• 💥 Putin's handling of the Moscow apartment bombings in 1999 significantly boosted his popularity and helped him win the presidency in 2000.
• 🎖️ Putin's first term saw improvements in living standards for Russians, economic reforms, and growth driven by oil and gas prices.
• 🚫 Press freedom and democracy in Russia faced challenges as media controls tightened during Putin's rule.
• 🏛️ In 2008, Putin and Medvedev orchestrated a political transition with Putin becoming Prime Minister and Medvedev as President, but Putin remained the dominant figure.
• 🔄 Putin returned to the presidency in 2012 amidst allegations of electoral fraud and mass protests in Moscow.
• 🌍 Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 increased Putin's domestic support but led to international isolation.
• 🔙 In 2018, Putin was re-elected with over 76% of the vote, though allegations of vote rigging persisted.
• 📜 2020 saw Putin signing an executive order amending the Russian Constitution to allow him to potentially stay in power until 2036.
• 🚷 Systemic opposition to Putin has been suppressed, with figures like Boris涅斯 and Alexei Navalny facing barriers to running for office or, in Navalny's case, imprisonment and a suspicious death.

Q & A

Who is the longest-serving Russian president since Joseph Stalin?

Vladimir Putin.

In what year did Boris Yeltsin hand over the presidency to Vladimir Putin?

Boris Yeltsin handed over the presidency to Vladimir Putin on the last day of 1999.

What event greatly boosted Putin's popularity during his early months in office?

Putin's handling of the Moscow apartment bombings in September 1999, which killed more than 300 people, greatly boosted his popularity.

What percentage of the vote did Putin win in the 2000 presidential elections?

Putin won the 2000 elections in the first round with 53% of the vote.

How did Putin manage to stay in power after his second term ended in 2008?

After his second term ended in 2008, Putin became prime minister while his protege, Dmitry Medvedev, served as president, with Putin effectively pulling the strings.

What was the impact of the 2011 parliamentary elections on Putin's image?

The 2011 parliamentary elections were marred by widespread accusations of vote rigging, leading to mass protests and damaging Putin's image.

What significant event in 2014 increased Putin's popularity within Russia but led to international isolation?

Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 increased Putin's popularity within Russia but led to the country's effective exile from the majority of the international community.

What constitutional amendment signed by Putin in 2020 allows him to potentially remain in power until 2036?

The executive order signed by Putin in 2020 called for amendments to the Russian Constitution that allowed a president to run for two six-year consecutive terms, enabling Putin to stay in power until 2036.

Who was Alexei Navalny, and why is his death significant in relation to Putin's presidency?

Alexei Navalny was an anti-war candidate and a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin who rose to prominence during the Bolotnaya protests. His death in prison in mysterious circumstances, which his supporters and Western leaders blame on Putin, is significant as it highlights the suppression of systemic opposition to Putin's rule.

What was the outcome of the legislative elections held in Russia in 2021?

In the 2021 legislative elections, Putin's United Russia party maintained its constitutional majority by taking 320 of the 450 seats in the lower House of the state Parliament.

What is the significance of the allegations of ballot stuffing during the 2021 legislative elections?

The allegations of ballot stuffing during the 2021 legislative elections underscore concerns about the integrity of Russia's electoral process and the dominance of Putin's United Russia party.