Putin fasttracks effort to extend his rule past 2024
MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin on Thursday fasttracked work on constitutional changes that could keep him in power well past the end of his term in 2024 while lawmakers quickly sealed his choice for new prime minister.
Speaking to a working group created to draft constitutional changes, Putin cast his proposals as a way to strengthen parliament and to bolster democracy. Kremlin critics described the proposed changes as an attempt by Putin to secure his rule for life.
The Russian leader proposed a set of sweeping amendments to the country’s constitution in Wednesday’s state of the nation address. Hours later, he fired Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who was prime minister for eight years, and named tax chief Mikhail Mishustin to succeed him.
The Kremlincontrolled lower house, the State Duma, quickly approved Mishustin by a unanimous vote on Thursday.
The reshuffle has shaken
Russia’s political elites, who were left wildly speculating about Putin’s intentions.
A constitutional reform announced by Putin indicated he was working to carve out a new governing position for himself after his current sixyear term ends in 2024, although it remains unclear what specific path he will take to stay in charge.
Putin has been in power longer than any other Russian or Soviet leader since Josef Stalin, who led from 1924 until his death in 1953. Under the current law, Putin must step down when his current term ends.
Alexei Navalny, Russia’s most prominent opposition leader, tweeted that Putin’s proposals reflected his intention to “rule until he dies.”
Putin suggested amending the constitution to allow lawmakers to name prime ministers and Cabinet members. The president currently holds the authority to make those appointments.
Putin said these amendments would “strengthen the role of civil society, political parties and regions in making key decisions about the development of our state.”
At the same time, Putin argued that Russia would not remain stable if it were governed under a parliamentary system. The president should retain the right to dismiss the prime minister and Cabinet ministers, to name top defense and security officials, and to be in charge of the Russian military and law enforcement agencies, he said.