Vladimir Putin could remain in power until 2036 after referendum victory

1 July 2020, 22:17 | Updated: 1 September 2020, 09:48

Vladimir Putin could stay in power for another 16 years
Vladimir Putin could stay in power for another 16 years. Picture: PA
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

The people of Russia have voted to approve amendments to their constitution which would allow President Vladimir Putin to hold power until 2036.

More than half of the country's precincts have so far been counted, with 77 per cent voting for the historic change, according to election officials.

The sweeping reforms would reset Mr Putin's term limits to zero in 2024, the year of the next Russian election, allowing him to serve two more six-year terms.

However, the referendum has been overshadowed by widespread reports of pressure on voters and other irregularities.

For the first time in Russia, polls were kept open for a week to bolster turnout amid the coronavirus pandemic - a provision that Kremlin critics denounced as an extra tool to manipulate the ballot's outcome.

Mr Putin's propaganda campaign and the opposition's failure to mount a coordinated challenge helped the Russian leader secure the outcome he desired, but the plebiscite could end up eroding his position because of the unconventional methods used to boost participation and the dubious legal basis for the balloting.

Read more: PM offers route to UK for Hong Kong residents in wake of controversial new Chinese law

Read more: 'Annexation would represent a violation of international law' PM warns Israel over plans

Mr Putin showed his passport to an election worker at the polling station
Mr Putin showed his passport to an election worker at the polling station. Picture: PA

On Russia's easternmost Chukchi Peninsula, nine hours ahead of Moscow, officials quickly announced full preliminary results showing 80 per cent of voters supported the amendments, and in other parts of the Far East, they said over 70 per cent of voters backed the changes.

Although, Kremlin critics and independent election observers questioned official figures.

"We look at neighbouring regions, and anomalies are obvious - there are regions where the turnout is artificially (boosted), there are regions where it is more or less real," Grigory Melkonyants, co-chairman of the independent election monitoring group Golos said.

Mr Putin voted at a Moscow polling station on Wednesday, showing his passport to the election worker. His face was uncovered, unlike most of the other voters who were offered free masks at the entrance.

The vote completes a complex saga that began in January when Mr Putin first proposed the constitutional changes.

Expert reveals what the new China laws mean for Hong Kong

He offered to broaden the powers of parliament and redistribute authority among the branches of government, stoking speculation he might seek to become Parliamentary Speaker or Chairman of the State Council when his presidential term ends in 2024.

His intentions became clear only hours before a vote in parliament, when legislator Valentina Tereshkova, a Soviet-era cosmonaut who was the first woman in space in 1963, proposed letting him run two more times.

The amendments, which also emphasise the primacy of Russian law over international norms, outlaw same-sex marriages and mention "a belief in God" as a core value, were quickly passed by the Kremlin-controlled legislature.

Mr Putin, who has been in power for more than two decades - longer than any other Kremlin leader since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin - said he would decide later whether to run again in 2024.

He argued that resetting the term count was necessary to keep his lieutenants focused on their work instead of "darting their eyes in search for possible successors".

Sir Malcolm Rifkind: "It is a very grim day indeed for Hong Kong"

Analyst Gleb Pavlovsky, a former Kremlin political consultant, said Mr Putin's push to hold the vote despite the fact that Russia has thousands of new coronavirus infections each day reflected his potential vulnerabilities.

"Putin lacks confidence in his inner circle and he's worried about the future," Mr Pavlovsky said.

"He wants irrefutable proof of public support."

Even though the parliament's approval was enough to make it law, the 67-year-old Russian president put his constitutional plan to voters in a bid to showcase his broad support and add a democratic veneer to the changes.

But following the devastating coronavirus pandemic that engulfed Russia, it forced him to postpone the 22 April plebiscite.

The delay made Mr Putin's campaign blitz lose momentum and left his constitutional reform plan hanging as the damage from the virus mounted and public discontent grew.

Plummeting incomes and rising unemployment during the outbreak have dented his approval ratings, which sank to 59 per cent, the lowest level since he came to power, according to the Levada Center, Russia's top independent pollster.

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

There have been almost daily reports of Palestinians being killed near aid sites since the GHF began operations

Dozens of Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire near aid sites in Gaza

At least 27 have died after a boat capsized in Vietnam.

At least 34 dead and scores missing after Vietnam tourist boat capsizes

Poland, Warsaw Chopin airport

Poland investigating 'potential sabotage' after technical fault with air traffic control system

Around 30 people have been injured after a vehicle ploughed into a crown in Los Angeles

Los Angeles nightclub crash which left 30 injured may have been intentional, police say

Patrick Howlett, 58

Man who sent £56,000 to Philippines for livestreamed sexual abuse of children jailed for 30 years

The explosion happened at Biscailuz Center Academy Training.

At least three people killed in 'horrific incident' at Los Angeles sheriff training facility

Russian President Vladimir Putin

UK sanctions Russian spies at heart of Putin's regime over ‘campaign to destabilise Europe’

x

Daredevil Felix Baumgartner ‘died in mid air’ before crashing into hotel worker in front of horrified witnesses

Shortly before his death, the sporting sensation posted a video to social media showing himself paragliding in circles over a field.

Daredevil Felix Baumgartner dies in paragliding crash in Italy

Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Russia could launch 'preventative strikes' on the West if 'necessary', Putin ally warns

Wounded Palestinians, including Father Jebrail Romanelli, are brought to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital after an Israeli attack targeted the Holy Family Church in eastern Gaza City.

Two worshippers dead after Israeli tank fire hits church in Gaza as Pope Leo calls for immediate ceasefire

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal is thought to have been suffering from mental health problems

Air India captain 'cut off' fuel before fatal crash, US officials say

Wilawan Emsawat has been arrested for allegedly having sex with monks and blackmailing them

Thai woman filmed herself having sex with Buddhist monks and blackmailed them

A few houses sit on a grassy area with mountain ranges in the background

Tsunami warning issued following 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Alaska

Shocking footage showed the stage at the iconic European dance festival in Boom, Belgium, engulfed in flames on Wednesday afternoon

Tomorrowland main stage destroyed by fire hours before festival start

As the news reporter is presenting - a huge explosion is captured erupting in the background.

Moment Israeli airstrike blasts Syria military HQ on live TV as news reporter flees in terror