Despite persistent rumours about poor health, President Putin shows no sign of letting up, 23 years after he took over the presidency. But an alleged assassination attempt this week and the rise of Yevgeny Prigozhin, boss of the Wagner Group of mercenaries, have prompted new waves of conjecture about who might replace the former KGB colonel.
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According to the constitution, if Putin died or was no longer able to rule, acting leadership would pass to the prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, a technocrat with little charisma or clout. Presidential elections would take place within three months. Times.
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