Bill to allow Putin new term introduced in State Duma

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Three lawmakers introduced a draft law on Tuesday that would allow President Vladimir Putin to remain in office for two more six-year presidential terms.

Pavel Krasheninnikov, Olga Savastyanova and Andrey Klishas presented the draft to the lower chamber of parliament, the State Duma, legitimizing constitutional amendments, suggesting the limitation on two consecutive terms for the presidency will lose its strength for the head of state who served as president at the moment of the new constitutional amendments adoption.

The draft also introduces new demands for presidential nominees, including that a candidate must be a Russian citizen not younger than 35 years old, permanently reside in the country for at least 25 years and does not have or did not previously have foreign citizenship or a residence permit with the exception of those originating from Crimea.

A vote on constitutional amendments was held June 25 to July 1 with 77.9% of Russians voting for the changes and with 21.27% opposed.