Putin has decided to run again for president in March 2024: Russian agencies
Updated | By AFP
Russian leader
Vladimir Putin has decided to run in presidential elections next March, news
agencies reported Friday, allowing the Kremlin leader to extend his
decades-long grip on power.

Putin told Lieutenant Colonel Artyom Zhoga, a Russian military officer, about his decision to participate in the upcoming vote following an awards ceremony for army personnel at the Kremlin, state-run news agencies reported.
"We are very happy that the president heard our request that he run. All of Russia supports him," Zhoga was cited as saying by state-run news agency RIA Novosti.
Putin, however, has yet to make a formal announcement that he will compete in the vote scheduled to take place between March 15-17 next year.
"Our President has never avoided and does not avoid responsible decisions," said Valentina Matvienko, the head of Russia's upper house of parliament.
"And today he has once again confirmed this. He confirmed that at the moment of a historic choice and a historic challenge," she added.
Putin will not face any major challengers and will likely seek as big a mandate as possible in order to conceal domestic discord over the Ukraine conflict, analysts say.

Show's Stories
-
Tech in 2025: The future is here, and it's getting weird
The future is here, and it's getting pretty weird – and slightly frighte...
East Coast Breakfast 1 day, 6 hours ago -
WATCH: Kayaker briefly swallowed by humpback whale
Even after this harrowing incident, the 24-year-old can't wait to get ba...
Stacey & J Sbu 1 day, 11 hours ago