On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that gives him the authority to remain in power until 2036. With this, Putin has got the approval to continue for the presidency for another two terms.
The 68-year-old Putin has been in power in Russia for more than two decades. According to a copy released on the government’s legal information portal, after Putin’s signature, he will now be able to contest the next elections after the completion of his current term in 2024.
76% voters supported the move
A 7-day long referendum campaign for a constitutional amendment was also conducted in Russia last year. For the first time, it took so long to vote in Russia due to a pandemic. However, voting took place online. Nearly 60% of the eligible people voted. The Russian people voted in support and opposition to keep Putin in office until 2036. As per the results, 76% of the people supported the amendment of the constitution.
Putin as President of Russia:
Putin first became president on 7 May 2000. His last term was completed in 2008. After this Medvedev was elected President and Putin became Prime Minister. However, the real command of the government was in the hands of Putin. During Medvedev’s presidency, the president’s term was increased to 6 years from 4 years. In 2012, Putin became president once again and Medvedev was elected prime minister. During this time many changes were seen in the country. With this, he strengthened himself as President.
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Why amendment in the Constitution was needed?
Russian constitution does not allow anyone to serve as the President for more than two consecutive terms. Putin’s term ends in 2024. If the constitution was not amended, Putin would not have contested this time. For this, a proposal was made to extend Putin’s term in the Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament. The motion was brought into parliament by MP Valentina Tereshkova. She is the first woman to go to space in 1963.
Putin, before becoming President
In the early years of his life, Putin worked abroad for 15 years as a spy of Russia’s intelligence agency KGB. When former President of Russia Boris Yeltsin abruptly resigned in 1999, Putin was the Prime Minister of the country. He was nominated as acting preside