The Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily newspaper attempts to figure out why Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet announced his move to run for re-election and what could be the cons and pros of his campaign's delayed start.
The newspaper notes in its editorial that Putin has no problems with either health or rating, i.e. obvious reasons that could question his participation in the election race. And when the nomination is delayed in such conditions, open politics gives way to political technology, the publication wrote.
The publication contemplates on possible advantages Putin may gain by delaying the start of his campaign. Firstly, he is currently not subject to specific criticism. His staff does not need to respond to accusations against Putin, first of all coming from those who will subsequently be dismissed by the CEC; there is no need to collect the necessary signatures, etc. It is possible that in January, only Putin and "proven" opponents will remain in the presidential race, who will not sharply criticize him.
Read alsoPutin set to run for re-election – Russian media
As UNIAN reported earlier, according to sociologists, 53% of the polled Russians would vote for Putin, 3% for Vladimir Zhirinovsky, 2% for opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and less than 1% of respondents would vote for Ksenia Sobchak.