The president of Russian, Vladimir Putin, has signed a new constitutional law that will allow him to remain in power as president for the next 16 years.
He signed the measure, three days after the Russian parliament has approved it with only one vote against the amendment.
Since he has signed it, it has to be approved by a constitutional court in the country in a referendum, which is scheduled for 22 April.
Putin, who has been in power since 2000, would not be permitted under the current law to run for president again after his tenure has expired in 2024, but the new measure signed will allow him to run for two more six-year terms.
Other constitutional changes signed by President Putin are to strengthen the presidency and laid more emphasis on the priority of Russian law over international norms.
The changes also mentioned “a belief in God” as one of Russian’s traditional values and outlawed same-sex marriage.
