this is what is important for a politician, the ability to be an effective manager, to protect the interests of their people and the security of their territories. democracy is to have the opportunity to choose the best of all candidates, and not a new one every time.
popularity is also important!
if ~80% of the population is happy with their choice and repeats it every four years for lack of anything better from the candidates, then what right you have to doubt the correctness of their choice?
Unlike Zelensky, Putin did not cancel the elections under the pretext that he is already popular among voters.
Although in his case, it would have been a logical and expedient step!
But Russia is simply a democratic country. And all the haters-Russophobes have nothing to counter this fact!

All interested international observers are invited to each election... The election result is recognized as democratic by seven countries, except you

how much time have you spent in Russia, and how many russian acquaintances do you know?

why are you trying to convince me that white is black and good is evil???