Russian President Vladimir Putin could remain in power until 2036 (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)A majority of Russians have approved amendments to Russia’s constitution allowing President Vladimir Putin to hold power until 2036, election officials said. However, the referendum was tarnished by widespread reports of pressure on voters and other irregularities. With most of the nation’s polls closed and 15% of precincts counted, 71% voted for the changes, according to officials. Mr Putin voted at a Moscow polling station, dutifully showing his passport to the election worker. Mr Putin, who has been in power for more than two decades — longer than any other Kremlin leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin — said he would decide later whether to run again in 2024.

Source: Irish Independent July 01, 2020 17:37 UTC