Using the Russian president's major public addresses as the main source Bo Petersson analyzes
the legitimization strategies employed during Vladimir Putin's third and fourth terms in
office. The argument is that these strategies have rested on Putin's highly personalized blend
of strongman-image projection and presentation as the embodiment of Russia's great power myth.
Putin appears as the only credible guarantor against renewed weakness political chaos and
interference from abroad-in particular from the US. After a first deep crisis of legitimacy
manifested itself by the massive protests in 2011-2012 the annexation of Crimea led to a
lengthy boost in Putin's popularity figures. The book discusses how the Crimea effect is by
2021 trailing off and Putin's charismatic authority is increasingly questioned by opposition
from Alexei Navalny the effects of unpopular reforms and poor handling of the COVID-19
pandemic. Moreover Russia is bound to head for a succession crisis as the legitimacy of the
political system continues to be built on Putin's projected personal characteristics and-now
apparently waning-charisma and since no potential heir apparent has been allowed on center
stage. The constitutional reform of summer 2020 made it possible in theory for Putin to
continue as president until 2036. Yet this change did not address the Russian political
system's fundamental future leadership dilemma.
