What are the election programs of the 8 Russian presidential candidates?

1. Vladimir Putin(65 years old, independent candidate)

Vladimir Putin is currently the President of Russia, with his election platform focusing on the country's socio-economic development as well as Russia's defense capabilities. If he wins the election on March 18, Mr. Putin will hold the position of President of Russia until 2024.

2.Pavel Grudinin (57 years old, Communist Party of the Russian Federation)

Pavel Grudinin, director of the Lenin Collective Farm outside Moscow, surprised observers by being chosen as the candidate of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, instead of the current party leader, Gennady Zyuganov. Pavel Grudinin's program focuses on solving economic problems. He pledged to withdraw Russia from the World Trade Organization, nationalize key resources and strategic industries, and provide support and tax policies for small and medium-sized businesses.

3.Vladimir Zhirinovsky (71 years old, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia)

A prominent figure in Russian politics since the early 1990s, Vladimir Zhirinovsky was widely considered the “Russian Donald Trump” during the 2018 election campaign, as he was known for his controversial statements. This was the sixth time the candidate had run for the Russian presidency. Zhirinovsky’s campaign platform revolved around “reviving Central Asia, Ukraine, Belarus and the Caucasus”, as well as calling for the establishment of a “new Soviet Union”.

4.Sergei Baburin (59 years old, All-Russian People's Union Party)

Sergei Baburin was one of the few members of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union who voted against the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and was always critical of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin throughout the 1990s. His election program called for constitutional reform to strengthen the power and authority of the parliament and the president. He focused on supporting economic cooperation projects and improving Russia's geopolitical position in the Eurasian continent.

5.Ksenia Sobchak (36 years old, Democratic Initiative party)

The 36-year-old TV presenter is the only female candidate in the presidential race and has positioned herself as an ideal choice for Russians who are tired of Putin’s rule or who want more liberal changes. Her campaign platform is that Russia and the West should focus on working together to tackle common challenges, such as terrorism and illegal immigration.

6. Boris Titov (57 years old, Growth Party)

Boris Titov is a 57-year-old business ombudsman who is running for president for the first time. Before that, Mr. Titov had a successful career in the chemical and fertilizer business. His campaign platform is calls the development of business a key factor in Russia's economic development. Focuses on strengthening Russia's position in international trade forums and responding to sanctions.

7.Maxim Suraykin (39 years old, Communist Party of Russia)

Maxim Suraykin and the Communist Party of Russia see themselves as political rivals to the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. His election campaign program isCall for the restoration of a Soviet-oriented socialist economy. Call for the re-establishment of an “alliance of anti-imperialist nations” based on the old Warsaw Pact model.

8.Grigory Yavlinsky (65 years old, Yabloko party)

The 65-year-old liberal economist ran against Mr Putin in the 2000 election, winning about 6% of the vote. His campaign platform wasturned Russia into the largest economy in Europe. Focused on developing friendly relations with the former Soviet republics and normalizing relations with Western Europe and the United States.