Russian Constitutional Referendum Passes, Granting Putin the Option to Remain in Power Until 2036

In early July 2020, the Russian constitutional amendments national vote, previously postponed due to the pandemic, was finally held and officially declared passed. The most controversial core provision of the amendments formally "reset" (zeroed out) the current presidential terms of Vladimir Putin in Moscow. This pivotal move legally allowed Putin to run for two more terms after his current one expires in 2024, theoretically enabling him to remain in power until 2036.

Human rights organizations and Western nations widely condemned the referendum process for its lack of transparency and fairness. For conservatives, this constitutional overhaul was a clear signal of an authoritarian leader's disregard for constitutional democratic principles and the institutionalization of perpetual rule. It cemented Putin's absolute control over power, further confirming Russia's long-term role as a primary challenger to the Western order on the global stage.