WITH REFERENDUM WIN, PUTIN TIGHTEN GRIP ON POWER
Vladimir Putin can potentially stay in power for two more six year terms after his term expires in 2024
Russians were asked if they agreed or disagreed with the changes to the Constitution
Changes included a reorganisation of the government, introducing a higher minimum pension and wages, a ban on gay marriage, restricting top officials from holding dual citizenship, enshrining ‘faith in God’ as a core value and emphasising the primacy of the Constitution over international treaties and rulings
Mr. Putin, who became President for the first time in 2000
He is now into the second term of his second stint as President, which will expire in 2024
Russian constitution bars more than two consecutive presidential terms
New Constitution doesn’t change the two term limit in theory, but in practice, it resets the clock on Mr. Putin’s terms so that in the first election under the new Constitution, to be held in 2024, Mr. Putin can start afresh
If he chooses so, he could remain in office for two more terms until 2036 when he will be 83 years old
Amendments have also enhanced the powers of the State Council, an advisory body until now, which Mr. Putin heads
Proposed change had already been approved by Parliament and the Supreme Court
Amendments got popular mandate, the ball is in Mr. Putin’s court. If he stays in power for two more terms, he will be the longest serving Russian leader since Peter the great
Tsar, who built the Russian Empire, was in power for 43 years until his death in 1725.
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