Vladimir Putin has faced claims that he is the richest man in Europe, presiding over a mafia state and with a personal fortune of more than $40bn. But Russia’s central election commission has said his bank balance was rather more modest — a mere $179,612.
The prime minister’s income from the past four years was $557,744, it added. Putin was also said to own two modest apartments, in Moscow and St Petersburg, and a plot of land.
The politician, who usually travels in an armoured state-owned Mercedes, owns several cars, including two vintage Volgas — a 1960 GAZ M21 and a 1965 GAZ M-21P — as well as a 2009 Lada. He also has a car trailer made in 1987.
The declaration comes ahead of Russia’s presidential election in March, which Putin is certain to win to claim a second term as head of state.
The Guardian