Global Affairs: Eternal Russia, Vulnerable Russia

The new Constitution offers insights into Vladimir Putin's plans for himself and his country

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The people of Russia are going to the polls this week not to elect a new leader - President Vladimir Putin's current mandate runs for another four years - but, rather, in order to change the Russian Constitution so that Mr Putin can continue to be re-elected for decades to come.

The outcome of the referendum is not in doubt: Printed copies of the new version of the Constitution with all the proposed amendments included have already gone on sale in Moscow's bookshops.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 29, 2020, with the headline Global Affairs: Eternal Russia, Vulnerable Russia. Subscribe