Referendum in Russia: People to decide if they want Putin in power until 2036

(Patria) – A referendum on constitutional changes that could allow President Putin to remain in power until 2036 will be held in Russia on July 1.

The proposed changes, which would amend the 1993 constitution, were presented in January and supported by the Russian parliament back in March.

Putin called on citizens to vote on July 1, although polling stations have been open for the past week to avoid crowds due to the risk of coronavirus infection spreading.

Preliminary results of a poll conducted by a state agency show that 76% of citizens support the changes.

200 amendments to the constitution have been proposed, although Putin is traditionally against changes, Euronews reports.

A large number of reforms include the transformation of the political system with more room for the opposition.

However, the biggest change is the right for Putin to serve two more six-year terms after his current, second term, ends in 2024. This change would apply only to Putin, but not to future presidents.

In addition to two presidential terms, Putin (67) served as prime minister in Dmitry Medvedev's government from 2008 to 2012.

The once four-year presidential term was changed to a six-year term, also during Vladimir Putin's tenure.  

The constitutional changes also concern respect for the country's cultural heritage and the Orthodox Church, as well as strengthening the Kremlin's power over local and municipal authorities.

The new constitution also defines marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman, thus rejecting the possibility of same-sex marriage.

Some of the social changes in the constitution will guarantee that the minimum income does not fall below the cost of living, as well as an increase in pensions over time.

Although the parliament adopted the changes back in March, a special decree requested the 'support of the people' to ensure the legitimacy of the constitutional change.

Putin's popularity has somewhat declined during the coronavirus epidemic in Russia, where more than 640,000 citizens have been infected, with over 9,300 deaths, making it the third most affected country in the world.

According to data from the Moscow Levada Center, Putin's popularity is around 60%, which is 9% less than in February, i.e., before the epidemic.