Vladimir Putin backs plans that could keep him in power until 2036
Vladimir Putin has supported a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow him to seek reelection in 2024, Euronews reports.
The constitutional change would see the suspension of a law that limits Russian presidents to two consecutive terms.
It would pave the way for the 67-year-old — who first became president in 2000 — to stay in office until 2036.
Russian MP Valentina Tereshkova proposed either scrapping Russia's two-term limit for presidents or stopping the clock so the law wouldn't apply to Putin's time in office.
Putin and the lower house of parliament quickly endorsed the proposal put forward by 83-year-old former Soviet cosmonaut Tereshkova.
In a speech to MP debating the package of amendments, Putin opposed doing away with the presidential term limit but backed stopping the count and restarting it in 2024, if the constitution is revised. Putin second consecutive six-year term ends in 2024.
Kremlin critics denounced the move as cynical manipulation and called for protests.
MPs also passed a set of constitutional amendments proposed by Putin that include defining marriage as a heterosexual union and language pledging homage to “ancestors who bequeathed to us their ideals and a belief in God".