The Russian parliament approved a revised constitution draft, paving the way for Putin to run for re-election and may sit in office until 2036.

In today's discussion, which is also the last discussion, the Russian State Duma (Russian Chamber of Deputies) unanimously approved the revised constitution draft proposed by President Putin with a ratio of 383 votes, 0 votes against and 43 blank votes.

The Federal Council (Russian Senate) a few hours later passed the draft with a vote of 160 votes, one against and three abstained.

The draft will be approved if two-thirds of Russia's 83 regional parliaments agree and are given a national referendum in April.

Putin in January proposed a series of amendments to the Russian constitution during his State of the Union address in Moscow, in order to reallocate power from parliament to the president. At that time, Putin repeatedly insisted the amendment was not intended to extend his power.

At a meeting of the House of Representatives yesterday, National Duma Vice President Valentina Tereshkova unexpectedly proposed to lift the restrictions on the current president, reset the previous presidential term to zero. Putin could run for another two terms after the end of his presidency in 2024.

"Like any citizen, the President has the right to run after the amendment of the constitution," she said. Tereshkova explained that giving the opportunity to the re-elected president will "be a factor in stabilizing Russian society".

The draft also extends the authority of the Russian parliament and constitutional court, prohibiting officials of foreign nationality, and at the same time, setting minimum wages above basic living costs.

The current Russian constitution prohibits presidents from serving more than two consecutive terms. Putin served as president of Russia from 2000 to 2008, then became prime minister in 2008 to 2012 and was re-elected president in 2012. The draft revised constitution allows to "delete" the two recent terms of the 67-year-old President, helping him to maintain power until 2036.

Speaking at the National Duma on March 10, Putin said that these constitutional amendments "should have been done long ago" and said that they "will facilitate stable, positive development." of Russia in the long term. " He also asserted that Russia is not ready for a new leader.