Moscow: Russia’s parliament may announce on December 13 that next year’s presidential election has been preliminarily scheduled for March 17, the state news agency RIA reported this week, citing a source in parliament.
President Vladimir Putin has already decided to run in the election, Reuters reported last week, citing six sources, a move that will keep him in power until least 2030 as he seeks to steer Russia through its most uncertain period in decades.
The Kremlin, when asked about a report in Russia’s Kommersant newspaper that preparations were afoot to nominate President Vladimir Putin to run again in March’s presidential election, said no decisions had been made yet.
Meanwhile, Putin approved changes to the law that governs presidential elections in the country putting new restrictions on media coverage. Under the amendments, only journalists contractually employed by registered media outlets will be allowed to cover election commission meetings.
This will potentially bar freelancers and independent journalists. Any coverage of the election commission’s actions on military bases or in areas under martial law without prior permission of regional and military authorities will not be allowed.
The changes also prohibit campaign activity on “blocked resources” as Russia continues crackdown on opposition and information flow. Earlier, Russia banned an array of websites and services including Facebook and Instagram.
