Russian President Vladimir Putin won a landslide re-election victory for his fourth term with over 76% of the votes, and will now lead the country for another six years.
Putin, who has ruled Russia as either Prime Minister or President since 1999, was already the country’s longest-serving leader since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
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Reportedly, Putin’s victory will take his political dominance of Russia to nearly a quarter of a century, until 2024, by which time he will be 71. Putin has promised to use his new term to beef up Russia’s defences against the West and to raise living standards.
“Thank you for your support,” Putin told crowds on Manezhnaya Square just under the Kremlin walls, wearing a black down jacket with a fur hood. “Everyone who voted today is part of our big, national team.”