Vote clears Putin to extend rule
MOSCOW: Russians have voted overwhelmingly in favour of constitutional changes that would allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036, according to partial results from a weeklong referendum that concluded on Wednesday.
With roughly 97% of the ballots counted, around 78% backed the amendments, while just over 21% voted against, Russia’s central election commission said yesterday. Voter turnout was around 65 %, it said.
The reforms reset the term limit for Mr Putin, who was first inaugurated as president in 2000, enabling him to run for another two sixyear terms.
The constitutionally enshrined term limit forced Mr Putin to give up the presidency in 2008. He stepped down to take the role of prime minister under Dmitry Medvedev but was re-elected as president in 2012.
Some believe the lack of coverage on state-run television networks about the clause that would allow Mr Putin to remain in power reduced the vote against the changes.
Although the 67-year-old former KGB officer has not confirmed he will run again for the presidency when his fourth term ends in 2024, he has not ruled out the possibility.
More than 200 changes were included in the constitutional reform package, including clauses that ban the cession of territory.
While this does not apply to border demarcation, the constitution takes precedence over any international or bilateral agreements in the event they conflict.
This could potentially impact Russia’s negotiations for a postwar peace treaty with Japan over a long-standing territorial dispute concerning a group of Russian-held islands off Hokkaido.
The referendum, originally slated for April, was held from June 25 to Wednesday.