Sergei Pugachev is seen during an interview with Reuters in Paris, France, September 22, 2015. REUTERS/John Schults/File Photo
Reuters: Exclusive: Former Kremlin insider recounts Putin’s moves to retain power
LONDON (Reuters) - When Russian President Vladimir Putin was preparing for last month’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 – and I know this from personal experience – 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 for the past three weekends.
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WNU Editor: This sounds about right. The only thing that I would like to know is what did then Prime Minster Putin say to then President Medvedev to convince him to not run for the Presidency a second time. That meeting was only between the two of them, and behind closed doors. All that I know is that after that meeting Medvedev was a completely changed person.
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