The Russian State Duma has approved in its first reading a draft law that would revise the country’s constitution to extend President Vladimir Putin’s ability to remain in power beyond 2024, clearing a critical hurdle for a revision that the Kremlin has framed as a top legislative priority for the current parliamentary session.
The vote, which passed overwhelmingly with 374 deputies in favor—far exceeding the required majority—follows weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations between the Kremlin and lawmakers to ensure the measure’s swift passage. The draft, introduced by the government last month, proposes amendments that would reset the presidential term limit clock, effectively allowing Putin to seek another term in 2036 after a brief interruption in 2024. Under the current constitution, Putin is constitutionally barred from running again after his current term ends in 2024, though he has already secured a path to remain in influence through a prime ministership or other roles.
The move comes as Russia faces mounting internal pressures, including economic strain from Western sanctions, a prolonged war in Ukraine that has drained military and financial resources, and growing public discontent over mobilization efforts. Official data released this week showed consumer prices rising 7.6% year-on-year in March, the highest inflation rate since 2015, while the ruble has weakened against the dollar despite state intervention. The constitutional revision, if approved, would not only extend Putin’s potential tenure but also solidify the Kremlin’s grip on power by institutionalizing changes that limit future challenges to its authority.
Opposition figures and independent analysts have dismissed the process as a sham, arguing that the Duma’s rubber-stamp vote reflects the absence of genuine debate. “This is not a constitutional reform—it’s a power grab dressed up in legal language,” said a senior researcher at the Carnegie Moscow Center, who requested anonymity due to security concerns. The researcher noted that the draft had been drafted in secrecy and presented to lawmakers with minimal opportunity for amendment.
In a statement following the vote, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reaffirmed that the revision was necessary to “consolidate the achievements of the past decades” and “ensure stability.” He declined to comment on whether the process would accelerate in response to public or international criticism, stating only that the next steps would be coordinated with the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house, where approval is also required before the measure can be submitted to a national referendum.
The Federation Council, controlled by Putin allies, is expected to approve the draft in its second reading within weeks, setting the stage for a referendum that could be held as early as June. The timing aligns with a broader Kremlin strategy to preempt domestic dissent by framing the revision as a patriotic duty, particularly amid the war in Ukraine, where Russian forces have faced setbacks in recent months. Polls conducted by state-affiliated agencies suggest majority support for the changes, though independent surveys—banned since 2022—would likely show far lower approval.
Internationally, the revision has drawn sharp criticism from Western governments and human rights organizations, who argue it undermines democratic norms. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, called the move “a clear violation of the spirit of the Russian constitution,” while the U.S. State Department warned that it would further isolate Russia diplomatically. However, neither bloc has outlined concrete responses beyond sanctions, which have already reshaped Russia’s economic and political landscape.
For now, the focus remains on the legislative process. The Duma’s approval shifts attention to the Federation Council, where procedural hurdles are minimal given its composition. Once both chambers approve the draft, it will be submitted to a national vote, a step that could be expedited if the Kremlin deems it necessary to head off potential protests or internal opposition. The next parliamentary session, scheduled for early April, will likely see further debates on related amendments, including proposals to strengthen the State Duma’s oversight role—a change that some analysts interpret as a preemptive measure to legitimize future authoritarian measures.
