Putin could remain in power until 2036

(Patria) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported a constitutional amendment that should allow him to run again in the 2024 presidential elections.

This constitutional change would suspend the law limiting Russian presidents to two terms.

This way, Putin (67), who was first elected in 2000, could remain in the presidential office until 2036.

Member of the Russian parliament, former cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova (83), proposed abolishing the two-term limit for presidents, which was immediately accepted by Putin and the lower house of parliament. The amendments will be voted on at the national level on April 22.

Critics of the Russian government have condemned the move, calling it a 'cynical manipulation,' and have called for protests. 'A country where the government has not changed for 20 years has no future,' stated an opposition group that called for protests.

Parliament also adopted constitutional amendments proposed by Putin that define marriage as a heterosexual union.

Putin has been in power for 20 years – the longest of all Russian presidents since Stalin. After serving two terms from 2000 to 2008, he moved to the office of prime minister while his protégé Dmitry Medvedev took the presidential seat.

Despite the instability of the Russian economy and unfavorable living standards, polls show that Putin remains the people's favorite, with the opposition playing too small a role to cause any change.

However, the fall in the value of the Russian ruble, caused by the global drop in oil prices due to the collapse of the OPEC agreement, could harm Putin's popularity, writes Euronews.  

Addressing parliament, Putin emphasized that the coronavirus and the drop in oil prices will not destabilize Russia.

- Our economy will continue to grow, and key industries will become even more powerful and competitive, stated the Russian president.