 President Vladimir Putin enters a hall in the Kremlin, 2019 (Photo: AFP) |
With 383 votes for, 43 abstentions, and no vote against, Russia’s Lower House showed near-absolute approval for a constitutional amendment proposed by MP Valentina Tereshkova of the United Russia Party. The proposal was also passed by the Federation Council (Upper House) with 160 votes for, 1 vote against, and 3 abstentions.
The amendment allows President Putin, who has led Russia from a crisis to today’s mighty country, to seek re-election in 2024 and restart his term count. The amendment must now be approved by two-thirds of 83 Russian regional parliaments before being put to a public vote on April 22. All these steps are predicted to proceed in favor of Putin’s continued presidency.
Suspicion eliminated
Before the Tuesday vote, doubts had emerged about Putin’s role after his current term ends 4 years from now, although most opinions said Putin would continue to lead Russia in some way. After Putin recommended changing the Constitution to strengthen the power of the Prime Minister and the Parliament and after Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his cabinet resigned in January, analysts said Putin was seeking a Premiership with greater power, a scenario similar to what happened when Putin’s 1st presidency ended in 2008.
Others argued that Putin would lead the State Council, an advisory body to the Russian head of state, after empowering the agency, instead of becoming the Prime Minister. Some said Putin might attempt to establish the role of a supreme leader side by side with the President, like Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei.
The ambiguity about Putin’s leadership role after 2024 is now clarified. He will almost certainly continue to be Russia’s president. What is most important is that Russia still needs the veteran leader, who will turn 68 in October.
Russia needs Putin
Some analysts say there is nobody to replace Putin, at least for the next decade, to lead Russia, which has suffered from Western sanctions, economic decline, falling crude oil prices, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Many compare the current context to the tumultuous year 1999 when Putin became President of Russia after Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned.
Russian politicians and analysts say only Putin’s decisiveness, talent, and boundless love for Russia could guarantee that Russia will stand firm in the face of challenges now and in the future.
Others argue that Putin deserves any privilege, including a constitutional amendment, to lengthen his term in power if you look at the achievements Russia has gained over the past 2 decades under Putin’s leadership.
But Putin has not yet confirmed that he will run for another term as President.