Analysts assessing the prospects of his term that begins with Monday's inauguration often use the expression "neo-stagnation." Putin won the new term, which will extend his rule in Russia to a quarter-century if he completes it, with an official tally of 77 percent of the vote in March. Yet, when state pollster VTsIOM asked Russians a month later which politician they trusted to solve the country's problems, only 47 percent chose Putin. If the money for domestic improvements is in doubt, so is the political will to implement them in Putin's new term. The main drama in Putin's new term may come not from what he does, but from what comes after him.

Source: ABC News May 04, 2018 08:15 UTC