(VOVworld) - Vladimir Putin’s landslide victory in Russia’s Presidential election has sent him back to the Kremlin to assume the country’s top job. After 4 years as Russia’s Prime Minister, Putin still has high voter confidence in his national development strategies. But analysts predict his future path will  not be a  smooth one.

Analysts predict Putin's future path will  not be a  smooth one. Photo: Internet

International observers have ackowledged the election as free, democratic, and fair, saying the results reflect people’s expectations of a stable, developed, and increasingly strong Russia. The majority of the voters want Putin back in the Kremlin because they believe in the stability Putin has managed to maintain in Russia during his 8-year Presidency and 4-year Prime Ministership despite a troubling global economic downturn. Under Putin’s leadership, Russia not only fortified its confidence in the international arena but also restored social order, which had been in bad shape since the 1990s. The GDP increased to 1.5 trillion USD from 250 million USD during the 1990s. Putin has proved to be a politician with firm positions during bilateral and multilateral negotiations.

Following the announcement of unofficial responded to the vote of confidence by pledging to continue his devotion to the country. He said his campaign has focused on 4 major goals: reform Russia’s political system and promote democracy; boost socio-economic development; strengthen national defense and security; and pursue independent external policies. He said all 4 goals will be concretized during his 6-year term as President.

Observers say implementation will not be simple. To modernize the economy, Putin needs to come up with reform plans which will help Russia achieve a 6-7% GDP growth rate, raise Russia from the world’s 11^th largest economy to the 5^th later this decade, improve people’s average living standard, and reform Russia’s army, healthcare, and retirement system. This will be difficult when 14.3 % of Russians live below the poverty line. Foreign capital is flowing out of the Russian market and foreign direct investment remains modest. It will also be a headache for Putin that the Russian economy depends on the export of raw materials. Last year oil and gas exports contributed nearly half of the country’s revenues. Corruption is ravaging the country. According to Transparency International, Russia was one of the most corrupt countries in the world last year. Putin will also face increasing opposition and instability, which has been growing since the election of the Lower House last December.

14.3 % of Russians live below the poverty line. Photo: Reuters

Analysts believe the biggest external challenge for Putin is reconciling Russia’s stance on the new world order with that of the US and the West, who want the new order to benefit themselves. Putin will also face the difficulty of coping with a wave of interference around the globe, using armed force or the threat of armed force by the US and its allies.Economically, Russia will face both opportunities and challenges as China and other emerging economies continue to grow. Putin will be heading back to the Kremlin in May as Russia’s President. It is too soon to assess his chances of success but Russian voters seem confident of a better future for their country.

Hong Van