Russian Constitutional Amendments Create Path for Putin to Remain in Power Until 2036

Russian President Vladimir Putin approves of constitutional amendments that would allow him to remain in power for another sixteen years.

As of Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin showed his approval for constitutional changes that would allow him to remain in power until 2036 – another sixteen years. Though Putin claims that he is a believer in term limits, he believes it’s best that he remains in power until the country is “politically mature.” According to the constitution, as it stands, Putin would be required to leave office in 2024.

Earlier this year, Putin approved a separate case of constitutional changes that would allow him to maintain significant power despite leaving office in 2024.

Seeking to make his case for remaining in power, Putin stated that “The proposal to remove restrictions for any person, including the incumbent president … In principle, this option would be possible, 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… In conditions when a country is experiencing such shocks and difficulties, of course … stability is perhaps more important and must be a priority.”

Putin’s primary political opponent, Alexei Navalny, is referring to Putin as the “president for life” and even tweeted, “Interesting how things turn out, Putin has been in power for 20 years but he’s going to run for the first time.”

This move would put Putin in a political group with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chinese President Xi Jinping as leaders who’ve sought to lengthen their rule beyond the original limits.