Could Putin stay in power forever? Russia prepares new constitutional amendments
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia (Getty Images)
Russian officials are preparing the population for new constitutional changes, with the likely goal of granting President Vladimir Putin even more powers, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.
Deputy Speaker of the Russian State Duma and member of the United Russia party, Pyotr Tolstoy, stated that the constitutional amendments which "reset" Putin's four presidential terms — allowing him to run in the 2024 election — are not "final."
He warned that since the start of the war, "much has changed," and that far more significant constitutional changes are planned.
The Center for Countering Disinformation recalled that last year's so-called "Russian presidential election" was held, among other places, in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. As a result, both the voting process and the "elected individual" are considered illegitimate.
"Although the current Russian constitution allows Putin to run for a sixth presidential term in 2030 and already grants him nearly unlimited power, it appears he is planning to formalize even greater authority — potentially securing the ability to rule for life," the Center noted.
Constitutional changes in Russia
The constitutional amendments in Russia allowed Vladimir Putin to remain in power up to the present day. Under these changes, he may continue serving as "president" at least until 2036.
The amendments also granted Putin the authority to appoint and dismiss senior judges and increased his influence over the formation of the government.
In last year's presidential election, Putin allegedly received 87.28% of the vote.
