Vladimir Putin Is Running for a Fifth Term as Russia's President, Which Would Keep Him in Power Through 2030

Mar. 15, 2025

Vladimir Putinwill seek a fifth term as Russian president, looking to extend his reign until at least 2030 amid his unrelentinginvasion of Ukraine.

The country’s longtime frontman confirmed his participation in the March 2024 elections on Friday, casually launching a reelection campaign that will no doubt be breezy for the indomitable wartime leader.

Putin, 71, began his career as a foreign intelligence officer for the KGB, turning to politics after resigning in 1991.

Russian President Vladimir Putin.RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PRESS SERVICE/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Since first claiming the presidency, Putin has repeatedly skirted — or altered — constitutional rules to extend his presidency far beyond the eight-year maximum that Russia’s constitution initially outlined.

When Putin took office, Russia’s constitution stated that no president could serve more than two consecutive, four-year terms, meaning he would have to leave the role in 2008. Upon terming out, he endorsed a presidential candidate who agreed to appoint him as prime minister so that he could continue pulling strings within the Kremlin despite lacking the No. 1 title.

After President Dmitry Medvedev succeeded Putin in 2008, he shepherded the first major amendments to Russia’s constitution — which included changing the length of presidential terms from four to six years, effective in 2012, when Putin would reclaim the seat.

Putin returned to the presidency in 2012 and was reelected in 2018. He would have termed out in 2024 if not fora more recent law that “reset” Putin’s time served, allowing him to legally stay in power until 2036.

source: people.com