President for life: Putin's final manoeuvre to stay in power

Russia is using prizes and patriotism to push through a vote to change the constitution, but there’s scant mention of the real goal: keeping the President in charge.

Vladimir Putin is looking to secure two more terms in power and make it look popular. AP

Robyn Dixon

Jun 24, 2020 – 6.18am

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Russia's leaders are throwing everything at their big problem of the moment. It's not the pandemic, even as case count climbs. It is getting enough citizens to vote in a nationwide plebiscite on constitutional changes that could keep President Vladimir Putin in power until 2036.

The voting, which begins on Thursday (Friday AEST) and wraps up on July 1, is largely symbolic, since the changes were already passed by Russia's parliament. Still, the Kremlin wants a credible turnout, at least 55 per cent, to give legitimacy to the project to keep Putin at the helm.

Washington Post