According to the latest news reports Russian President
Vladimir Putin has given final approval to legislation
allowing him to hold office for two additional six year
terms, opening the possibility for him to stay in power
until 2036.

The 68 year old Russian leader, has already been in
power for two decades. This may allow President Putin
to become "President For Life." He would be 83 or 84 in 2036.

Will Mr Putin ever leave on his own?

And how will this affect the Russian people and the rest
of the world?

Foxy,

Putin sees himself as a Tsar of Russia. Just the same way that Xi sees himself as the Emperor of China.

Both are trying to reinvent their nations and restore the greatness of their former empires. And whom better to be the head of state than themselves or as they would tell you "Well, someone has to do it so might as well be me."

This is the sort of thing that happens in a totalitarian or autocratic regime, whether it be an empire or kingdom.

This is what a lot of people have failed to recognise over the past half century especially with China and now the free democratic countries around the world are confronted by a belligerent China that is on a pathway of predatory expansion as it annexes territory around its periphery and spreads it's totalitarianism over other peoples all in the name of a Chinese Communist Empire that the Chinese nation-state sees as an extension of its imperial history.

And as Mr Opinion always like to say: I TOLD YOU SO.

That's the secret of stability !

Hi Foxy

Unfortunately Russians are, through their whole history, much more used to, and impressed by, Autocrats. With Putin being the latest.

Russia's only sustained experience of relative democracy was under Boris Yeltsin (President 1991 to 1999). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Yeltsin#Reception_and_legacy

The economic chaos during Yeltsin and collapse of the socialist "job-for-life" safety-net persuaded many Russians workers and pensioners in that era that Communism and Putin's autocracy did Better than Yeltsin's "democratic experiment".

Russians just don't have the democratic tradition to think as we do.

Behind Putin are many more of the Russian Intelligence Mafia (KGB now FSB) who have spread out to most of the government and private industry power and money ownership.

There is every chance someone like Putin will replace Putin in a 5 years or so.

Democratic opponents of Putin don't last long enough to make a difference - most lately Navalny - poisoned and now in gaol again http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_Navalny

Putin's drop in approval ratings from the usual 80% to around 45% now, though offers some hope, but its all very unpredictable.

I hope my pessimism is surprised by stronger democratic trends in Russia.

Hi Pete,

I agree that replacing Putin might change very little.

Another autocrat in the Kremlin would be likely to
follow Putin's example.

Putin's not going to step
down from office until he can feel secure that
his successor will respect his rights - and in
Russia, as you point out that is harder to achieve.

Putin is unlikely to find a peaceful
retirement when he leaves office. I suspect
that's why he'll try to stay in power.

cont'd ...

Democratic trends in Russia?

I can't see it happening any time soon.

Still, one can hope.