“Russia is impossible without Putin.” This view was expressed by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Ministry of Defense and will resonate in the voices of millions of Russians who have seen Putin as president or prime minister for decades. Their confidence in Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin must be reaffirmed in the July 1 referendum. The referendum will amend the Russian constitution to allow Putin to run for president for another two to six years. At the age of 67, President Putin has not ruled out the possibility of running in the 2024 presidential election. The current term of his presidency will end in 2024. Thus, if he runs in the next election, he can remain President of Russia until 2036. The referendum will take place in Moscow’s Red Square immediately after end of the coronavirus lockdown in the city. In January this year, the Russian president proposed an amendment to the country’s constitution with public support. A key point in the referendum on the amendment is to allow President Putin to run for the next two terms of two to six years. The referendum was originally scheduled for April 22, but was postponed to July 1 … Continue reading Vladimir Putin’s ‘plan to become president for life’