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Putin Presses Plan to Extend Rule Amid Crisis Hurting Russians

  • President may call vote on changes allowing him two more terms
  • Putin delayed constitutional referendum when epidemic erupted
Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin

Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg
Updated on

Thrown off course by the coronavirus pandemic, Vladimir Putin is moving to regain the political initiative for his plan to remain as Russia’s president potentially until 2036.

Putin may announce a snap ballot within weeks on proposed changes to the constitution that allow him to sidestep term limits, said four people familiar with Kremlin discussions on the matter. Electronic voting will be used as well as polling stations to boost turnout and the result, the people said.