Vladimir Putin backs ex-cosmonaut’s plan to extend his stay in power
Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to go to space and now a politician, proposed an amendment to allow Mr Putin to rule beyond 2024.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he supports a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow him to seek another term and remain in power.
Mr Putin gave his support to the amendment put forward by a politician, Valentina Tereshkova, who as a Soviet cosmonaut became the first woman to fly to space.
The ex-cosmonaut proposed either scrapping presidential term limits or amending the Russian Constitution to let Mr Putin run again.
A series of constitutional amendments are going to a nationwide vote on April 22.
Mr Putin spoke against scrapping term limits, but backed the idea of revising the ceiling.
Mr Putin’s current six-year term expires in 2024.
The 67-year-old Mr Putin has been in power for more than 20 years, becoming Russia’s longest-serving leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
He addressed politicians during a divisive debate on constitutional amendments he proposed earlier.
The amendments are up for a second reading.
The Kremlin-controlled lower house, the State Duma, is set to quickly endorse Mr Putin’s proposals.
