This would give the outgoing president a number of advantages — including weakening the executive power of the president’s successor, for instance. And this change opens up the possibility that Putin could stay on as prime minister, with the backing of a substantial legislative majority. Governments in Russia take the heatIn the post-Soviet era, Russian presidents have deflected blame for domestic problems onto both the government and parliament. This has weakened the authority of both institutions in the eyes of the Russian public. ADAll of these options are in play, as is the possibility that Putin could leave power altogether with a more constrained president in place.

Source: Washington Post January 29, 2020 10:52 UTC