The State Duma (Russia’s lower chamber of parliament) has approved the third and final reading of a bill containing constitutional amendments that allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power for another 12 years after his current term ends in 2024.
According to Mediazona, 383 lawmakers voted in favor, 43 abstained, and none voted against.
One of the amendments approved by the State Duma will set Putin's previous presidential terms back to zero, giving him the right to run for a new term in 2024 after his current second sequential presidential term ends.
A nationwide vote on the proposed amendments is set for April 22.
Meanwhile, Kremlin critics condemned the move as a cynical manipulation and called for protests, according to ABC.
