Russian President Vladimir Putin at a polling station on constitutional changes in Moscow in July 1, 2020. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
One of the changes approved by the week-long vote that ended last Wednesday makes it legal for Putin to seek two more terms as president and, if re-elected, to stay in power until 2036. It gives the President the authority to form Russia's Security Council and State Council. Other changes grant former presidents immunity from prosecution.
The Kremlin has hailed the overwhelming vote in favour of the amendments as a triumph for Putin.