Putin Announces Major Constitutional Amendments, Consolidating Power and Extending Political Horizon

In January 2020, during his State of the Nation address in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin abruptly announced a series of constitutional amendments proposals. These proposals aimed to redistribute federal powers, particularly reducing the president's authority in parliamentary and cabinet appointments while transferring some powers to the State Council and Parliament.

However, the core intent of these amendments was widely interpreted as a mechanism to solidify Putin’s grip on ultimate power beyond his current presidential term. The move triggered political turmoil both domestically and internationally, criticized as an effort to strengthen authoritarian rule and undermine democratic institutions. For conservatives, this event exemplified the trend of authoritarian leaders seeking perpetual power, posing a long-term threat to liberty, the rule of law, and political stability within Russia.