OPPOSITION

Putin: It’s ‘Not My Job’ to Create Election Rivals

“They need to present real issues that people will believe in.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin sat for his annual press conference Thursday, answering questions about foreign and domestic issues, as well as his impending re-election vote in March 2018. “It’s not my job to raise competitors,” Putin said. His opposition, he continued, “shouldn’t make noise in the streets.” He added, “That’s the main problem of those who want to be a competitive opposition… they need to present real issues that people will believe in.” The conference is normally hours long and offers a rare chance for reporters to ask direct questions of the Russian leader, who is serving his third presidential term.