Vladimir Putin set to rule to another 16 YEARS after Russian parliament backs sweeping constitutional change
VLADIMIR PUTIN has laid out his plan to tackle the Russian constitution - and stay in power until 2036.
The Russian leader today said there could be a presidential 'reset' and run after his current term expires.
Putin, who has ruled Russia for more than 20 years, today laid out his plans on how he intends to hold onto power.
He told the lower house of State Duma: "This would be possible... if the constitutional court rules such an amendment would not go against (the constitution)."
A constitutional reform tabled by Valentina Tereshkova would make previous presidential terms void.
It would mean that Putin, 67, who was first elected in 2000 as Prime Minister for two terms, then President in 2012 could run again after his current and second six-year term expires.
If he wins another term it would keep the Russian ruler in power until 2036.
He told lawmakers: "These amendments are long overdue, they are needed, and I am sure they will be useful for society, for our citizens."
Putin appeared to suggest the country may not be reader for a new leader after calling for evolutionary change "because we have had enough of revolutions".
Putin said: "There will be a time when the highest power... will not be tied to one specific person.
"But all of our previous history happened in this way, and of course we cannot ignore this."
NEVER-ENDING TERMS
Putin today rejected a call for lifting the overall two-term presidential limit and also said it wasn't necessary to hold early parliamentary elections.
Putin’s current term ends in 2024 and at the moment he is not allowed to be president again as he has just served two consecutive terms.
He has held the top job in the Kremlin four times since he was first elected in 2000 but had to step down in 2008 because of current constitutional rules.
At the moment, there is no legal way for the 67-year-old to run again immediately, however speculation has been mounting about what could be done to keep him in power.
One of the options would be to change or scrap the number of presidential terms written in the current constitution.
Another would be to hand more powers to the government, parliament or a new body for Putin to lead.
Putin will barely be in his early 70s when his current term ends - younger than both President Donald Trump and his rival Joe Biden today.
Dmitry Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, tweeted today: "It looks that after playing with ideas of State Council and Security Council Putin has finally decided in favour of running again in 2024."
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Putin was re-elected in 2018, but his approval ratings have been falling as Russia's economy has been struggling.
Putin will barely be in his early 70s when his current term ends - younger than both President Donald Trump and his rival Joe Biden today.
And observers say there is little evidence power crazy Putin is preparing for a life of post-presidential leisure.
How long did Lenin and Stalin rule for?
Vladimir Lenin served as head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 1924 and of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1924.
Lenin formed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1992 and it last until 1991.
Josef Stalin was the premier of the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1953.
Stalin combined Marxism with Leninism, while his own policies are known as Stalinism.
Stalin instituted the "Great Purge";, which say more than a million imprisoned and at least 700,000 executed between 1934 and 1939.