LONDON ¨C When Russian President Vladimir Putin was preparing for June¡¯s nationwide vote on potentially extending his rule until 2036, he let the veil slip on part of the calculation behind the constitutional change.
¡°If this doesn¡¯t happen, then in about two years ¡ª and I know this from personal experience ¡ª the normal rhythm of work of many parts of government will be replaced by a search for a possible successor,¡± Putin said in an interview with state TV channel Rossiya. ¡°We must be working, not looking for successors.¡±
The Kremlin won the vote, declaring it a triumph. The constitution now will allow Putin to return to power for another two six-year terms. Independent monitor Golos, however, reported unprecedented vote fraud, and political opponents say the elaborate maneuvering over the ballot has weakened Putin¡¯s legitimacy. Public discontent over Putin¡¯s rule has begun to spill into the open in Russia¡¯s Far East, where tens of thousands have marched in protest recently.
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