Ahead of the Russian presidential elections scheduled for March 18, President Putin is assured of victory but faces formidable electoral opponents: popular apathy and the threat of low turnout. In seeking a fourth term for Russia's highest office, Putin's advisers have set a target of 70 percent turnout and 70 percent in favor. If realized, the election result will justify the previous 18 years of Putin's rule, but if not will raise serious concerns that Putin's last day in office might come at a point much earlier than the end of the term in 2024.

This talk by Yuval Weber, a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center, focuses on the issues facing President Putin the day after the elections -- whether the 70/70 goal is achieved or not -- and especially the various economic reform plans that have emerged as the largest substantive policy issue for the election. While "economic reform" may appear to be a complicated subject in any country, it has long been the third rail of Russian politics because it explicitly identifies the tensions between the demands of the market and the demands of the security state. As such, the winners and losers of previous economic reform efforts dating back to the Tsarist period have been motivated to bring down or prop up leaders and even the state itself. The outcome of this current economic reform effort will also shape Russia's national security and foreign policies, as ongoing low growth will force tough choices between raising living standards at home and maintaining muscular stances abroad.

Click to register to attend.