Putin Backs Proposal that Allows Him to Rule Russia Beyond 2024

Vladimir Putin, who first became the President of Russia in 2000, has now backed a proposal of the constitutional amendment, according to which he will be able to seek two additional terms to rule the Kremlin.

The Russian President is required by the constitution to step down in 2024, and there have been months of conjecture about how he could stay in power beyond then, or at least ensure a safe transition for himself.

The constitution of Russia requires the Russian President to step down in 2024, and thinking 4 years ahead, for months there has been speculation on how he could keep his position.

At the parliament session on Tuesday, a member of Russia’s ruling party proposed to amend the country’s constitution so that Putin’s presidential term count would be reset, the reform giving him an opportunity to stay in power until 2036.

Putin then addressed the parliament himself, backing the proposal, and thereby noting that such an amendment could only be put to work only in one single case.

“In principle, this option would be possible,” said Putin, as reported by the Guardian, at the end of a half-hour speech.
“But on one condition – if the constitutional court gives an official ruling that such an amendment would not contradict the principles and main provisions of the constitution.”

Putin reported that a referendum would take place next month, as the reform has to be approved by the public in order to adopt the amendment.

By Nini Dakhundaridze

Image source: BBC