Putin's Tight Grip on Power Raises Concerns of Rocky Transition When He Leaves Office
- Putin will be reelected in 2024 in a rigged election and is unlikely to retire willingly from power
- When Putin dies, a vicious power struggle will ensue among his cronies and oligarchs to replace him
- Putin has made himself "coup-proof" and cultivated nationalism to maintain power and loyalty
- Putin uses control over Russia's resources and kompromat to keep oligarchs loyal to him
- With so much power concentrated in Putin, his eventual death could lead to a turbulent leadership transition period for Russia