Putin signs signs law allowing him to stay President till 2036

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday approved a law enabling him to possibly hold onto power until 2036, a move that formalises constitutional reforms approved in a vote last year.

The July 1 constitutional vote attached a provision that reset Putin's previous term limits, allowing him to run for leader two more times. The change was rubber-stamped by the Kremlin-controlled parliament and the relevant law signed by Putin was posted on Monday on an official portal of legal information.

The 68-year-old Russian leader, who has been in government for more than two decades — higher than any other Kremlin leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin — announced he would rule later to run over in 2024 when his current six-year term also ends.

He has argued that resetting because of the term count was required to keep his officers centred on their work instead of “darting their eyes in the search for possible successors.”

The constitutional amendments also emphasized on the primacy of Russian law over many international norms, outlawed same-sex marriages and considered “a belief in God” as a main core value.

Nearly 78% of voters supported the constitutional amendments during many balloting that also lasted for a week and concluded on July 1. Turnout was 68%.

Following the vote, Russian lawmakers have also methodically modified the national law, allowing the relevant laws.

The opposition reprimanded the constitutional vote, showing that it was defamed by public reports of influence on voters and other irregularities and a lack of clarity and hurdles hindering free monitoring.

In the periods since the vote, Russia has held the country's most prominent opposition figure, Alexei Navalny.