Last week, President Vladimir Putin continued the endless speculation about what role he will play in Russia after his term is set to end in 2024. As Russia’s lower house of parliament debated constitutional amendments, in a sequence of obviously choreographed, pseudo-spontaneous political drama, a proposal emerged to reset the clock on his presidential terms to zero.
The impact? Putin’s presidential terms served so far would not be counted, and in effect term limits would not apply to him. Should Russia's Constitutional Court approve of this arrangement, the way will be clear for Putin to run for president in 2024… and again in 2030. Polls have Putin’s popularity rating at an all-time low, which adds fuel to speculation of more manufactured drama in store regarding his plans in the lead- up to the 2024 - and then, why not, to the 2030 elections.
Meanwhile, the future for human rights in the coming years looks bleak.
