Putin wins right to extend his rule until 2036

Thank you very much for your support and trust ... We need internal stability and time to strengthen the country and its institutions

Russian President Vladimir Putin

PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin thanked Russians on Thursday for voting in favour of controversial amendments to the constitution that could extend his grip on power, as the opposition and Western leaders voiced criticism over suspected poll violations.

Russia’s Central Elections Commission announced early Thursday that nearly 78 percent of voters had cast their ballot in favour of the changes to the constitution that could see Putin, 67, remain in power until 2036.

“Thank you very much for your support and trust,” Putin said in televised remarks during which he also warned that modern Russia was still in the process of being formed. “Very little time has passed since the break-up of the Soviet Union,” Putin said. “We need internal stability and time to strengthen the country and its institutions.” Russians began voting last week on the package of constitutional changes proposed by Putin earlier this year, including a reset of presidential term limits allowing him to run twice again after his current six-year term ends in 2024.

Other amendments strengthen presidential and parliamentary powers, enshrine traditional values including an effective ban on gay marriage and guarantee better minimum wages and pensions.