Russian senate to fire starting gun for March 17 presidential election

FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a ceremony to receive diplomatic credentials from newly appointed foreign ambassadors at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, December 4, 2023. Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian lawmakers will vote on Thursday on a proposal to hold a presidential election on March 17, when Vladimir Putin is expected to seek and win a new six-year term.

The vote was announced on Wednesday by Andrei Klishas, a senior member of the Federation Council. The Council is the upper chamber of parliament and is responsible under the constitution for setting the election date.