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Russian court approves law that could extend Vladimir Putin’s reign

Vladimir Putin clearly has no plans to retire after a Russian court approved a law that could keep him power well into the next decade.
A Russian court has approved a law which means Vladimir Putin’s reign could extend until 2036. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

A Russian court has approved a law which means Vladimir Putin’s reign could extend until 2036. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

Russia’s Constitutional Court has approved amendments proposed by President Vladimir Putin to the country’s basic law, giving him the option of serving two further terms in office.

The Constitutional Court published the ruling on its website and immediately sent the ruling to Putin, who could now stay in power until 2036.

The court issued a speedy decision after Mr Putin signed the final reform package on Saturday, though it had a week to consider its ruling.
 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has no plans to retire. Picture: AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin has no plans to retire. Picture: APSource:AP

 

Mr Putin, 67, last week backed a last-minute proposal by the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, to add an amendment to the reform package allowing his possible return to the Kremlin after 2024.

Under the current constitution he is not allowed to serve another presidential term, having served two consecutive stints from 2012.

The new constitution would allow him reset his term-limit clock back to zero, paving the way for him to stay in power until 2036.
 

Russian riot police officers detain a protester as she holds a placard reading “No constitutional coup and usurpation of power!” Picture: AFP
Russian riot police officers detain a protester as she holds a placard reading
“No constitutional coup and usurpation of power!” Picture: AFPSource:AFP

 

Other constitutional changes further strengthen the presidency and emphasise the priority of Russian law over international norms – a provision reflecting the Kremlin’s irritation with the European Court of Human Rights and other international bodies that have often issued verdicts against Russia. The changes also outlaw same-sex marriage and mention “a belief in God” as one of Russia’s traditional values.

The bill subsequently sailed through the upper house and regional parliaments as required last week.
 

Busts of Vladimir Putin and Boris Yeltsin. Mr Putin could become Russia’s longest-serving leader since Josef Stalin who led the country while it was still the Soviet Union. Picture: AFP
Busts of Vladimir Putin and Boris Yeltsin. Mr Putin could become Russia’s longest-serving leader
since Josef Stalin who led the country while it was still the Soviet Union. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

 

The Russian leader had proposed changes to the constitution in January but until last week denied that he was seeking to extend his rule.

His spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mr Putin changed his mind because of global instability.

The amendments also include stipulations banning gay marriages and protecting the “historic truth” of Russia’s role in World War II.
 

Police surround anti-Putin protesters. Picture: AFP
Police surround anti-Putin protesters. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

 

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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