World

Coronavirus delays Russian vote on Putin staying in power

March 26, 2020 7:07 am

Mr Putin put on special protective gear as he visited coronavirus patients at a hospital in Moscow [Source: BBC]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed a vote on constitutional change that would allow him to stay in power, because of coronavirus concerns.

He said the public vote – previously due to be held on 22 April – would be delayed until a “later date”.

The proposed changes include scrapping a ban on allowing Mr Putin to run for office again.

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The changes have already been approved by parliament and Russia’s constitutional court.

They would give Mr Putin – who is serving his fourth presidential term and has dominated Russian politics for two decades – the right to serve two more consecutive terms