Russian President Putin's Referendum Passed for 'Long-Term Rule'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Onyu Lim] A constitutional amendment enabling Russian President Vladimir Putin's de facto 'lifelong rule' was approved through a national referendum held on the 1st (local time). This concluded the constitutional amendment process that began with Putin's sudden proposal during his annual state of the nation address last January. However, since the amendment could have been made without a referendum, there are criticisms that Putin is engaging in 'theatrical politics' to legitimize his long-term rule.

According to TASS news agency on the 2nd (local time), with 99% of the votes counted in the referendum on the constitutional amendment, 78.3% supported the amendment. Although 21.2% opposed it, the amendment passed as the majority voted in favor. The voter turnout was 65%. The referendum was originally scheduled for April 22 but was postponed once due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The amendment revised 46 out of the total 133 constitutional articles. The core change guarantees President Putin's long-term rule. The revised constitution includes a clause prohibiting the same person from serving as president more than three times, which under normal circumstances would prevent Putin, currently serving his fourth term, from running again after his term ends in 2024. However, the Russian parliament included a clause in the amended constitution stating that “the terms served by the current or former president shall not be counted.” Accordingly, if President Putin runs again in 2024 and wins, he can serve two more six-year presidential terms until 2036, when he will be 84 years old.

Legally, Russia did not need to hold a referendum to pass the constitutional amendment. Procedurally, the amendment could have been approved through parliamentary review and constitutional court examination, both of which were completed in March. Nevertheless, President Putin emphasized that the amendment would only take effect if it received majority support in the referendum.

This has been analyzed as a strategic move by President Putin to secure legitimacy for his long-term rule. Professor Greg Yudin of the Moscow School of Social and Economic Sciences said, “This whole process is madness, but the Putin regime in Russia needs public support for the legitimacy of its rule. A staged performance is necessary for that.”