Editorial: La Vanguardia

• Russia concludes three days of voting to elect their president, a process labeled as a farce whose purpose is to perpetuate Vladímir Putin in power.
• Opponents who could have threatened his rule are either in jail, exile or deceased.
• Participation of three Kremlin-aligned candidates is allowed, reinforcing the image of an electoral and democratic process.
• With his re-election assured, Putin, thanks to the 2020 constitutional reform, he will hold power until 2030 and can run for another term until 2036.
• Opposition candidates support the Ukrainian War and only they have been authorised by the National Electoral Commission to stand.
• Despite the war and Western sanctions, the Russian economy has withstood and a GDP growth of 2% is expected.
• Crude oil exports to China and India have offset Western bans, and trade with allied countries and former USSR members has allowed for European goods to reach Russia.
• Putin aims for a popular legitimation to continue supporting his 'special military operation'.

Conclusion: Putin seems set to win the election once again, enjoying significant support from a society that, despite its inability to express itself freely, backs its authoritarian president.

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