TALLINN, Estonia. Vladimir Putin, once known for public stunts showcasing his strength, faces an uncertain political future as Russia prepares for its presidential elections next March. At 71, the Russian President remains the subject of speculation due to his age, prompting questions about potential successors.
Putin has made constitutional changes allowing him to run for two additional six-year terms, but if he were not to run, it’s unclear who would replace him. Russia’s political system lacks primary elections, as political parties select their candidates without voter input.
Possible contenders if Putin does not participate in the election include:
- Dmitry Medvedev: Having served as a Putin surrogate, Medvedev took over the presidency in 2008 due to term limits. Despite this, he was perceived as secondary to Putin and served as prime minister until 2020. He has recently gained prominence by vigorously defending Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
- Alexei Dyumin: As the governor of the Tula region and a close associate of Putin, Dyumin’s dramatic claim of saving Putin from a bear adds to his aura. His role in Russia’s annexation of Crimea also bolsters his image.
- Sergei Sobyanin: As the mayor of Moscow since 2010, Sobyanin has transformed the city with visible improvements, though he has faced criticism for banning LGBTQ+ parades.
- Mikhail Mishustin: Russia’s prime minister since 2020, Mishustin has quietly led but may become acting president if Putin is unable to fulfill his duties.
- Nikolai Patrushev: A staunch Putin ally with striking parallels, Patrushev has consistently supported Putin’s hawkish views and hostility toward the West, making him a potential successor.
The future of Russian politics remains uncertain, and the absence of a clear frontrunner raises questions about who could lead the country after Putin’s reign.
AP contributed to this report.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
