For more than 20 years, President Vladimir Putin has been the most powerful man in Russia – and this week, he made sure he could retain that position for another 15 years.
With the signing of a new law, Putin can now run for another two six-year terms once his current stint ends in 2024.
It would make him Russia’s longest-ruling leader, surpassing Joseph Stalin.
His critics call it a constitutional coup, designed to make Putin “president for life”. His supporters say it means stability for the government.
But what is behind Putin’s hunger for control?
Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra
Guests:
Dmitry Babich – Political analyst at InoSMI Internet project
Marco Di Liddo – Head of Russia & Balkans Desk at The Center for International Studies
Alexander Soloviev – Member of the Russian opposition and former chairman of the Open Russia