MOSCOW (AP)– The Russian parliament approved a sweeping constitutional reform in the third and last reading Wednesday, a move that will enable President Vladimir Putin to remain in power for another 12 years after his existing term ends in 2024.
The Kremlin-controlled lower home, the State Duma, backed a set of amendments to the constitution and an arrangement resetting the term count for Putin after the revised constitution goes into force by a 383 -0 vote with 43 abstentions. A nationwide vote on the proposed modifications is set for April 22.
Kremlin critics condemned the relocation as a cynical manipulation and required protests.
Putin, a 67- year-old previous KGB officer,