Russian President Vladimir Putin is the overwhelming favorite to regain his post when the country goes to vote in March 2018. Speaking to a gathering at the energy forum in Moscow, Putin said that he has not decided whether he will contest the upcoming elections and added that he does not know who he will be contending the elections against.

Putin said that whoever wanted to come forward to run for the presidential elections would have to declare their intention to run by November or December. There is a widespread belief that Putin will win by a landslide victory in the first round as there are no serious challengers to his position.

Alexei Navalny, the opposition leader was sentenced to his third jail term this year by a Russian court. This will come as a blow to Navalny who has repeatedly criticized the Kremlin. Due to his arrest, he will not be present at a campaign rally in St. Petersburg on October 7th which is on the same day as Putin’s birthday.

Opinion polls have suggested that Navalny doesn’t stand a chance against Putin. The Kremlin sent out a strong message to Navalny and his protesters telling them not to take part in unsanctioned rallies before added that anyone who was involved in organizing these rallies would be prosecuted.

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