러시아 개헌투표 통과...푸틴, 전무후무한 32년 집권 가능<br /><br />Russian President Vladimir Putin looks to have cemented his political future for another generation.<br />Russians approved a national referendum to revise the country's constitution on Wednesday that could see Putin remain in power until 2036.<br />For more on what this could mean,... Lee Seung-jae reports.<br />Vladimir Putin has been leading Russia either as President or Prime Minister since 1998.<br />As it stood, Russia's constitution had required Putin to step down after his current six-year term ends in 2024.<br />That is, until a referendum on the constitution passed this week,... allowing him to serve two more six year terms.<br />Amendments to the constitution had already been passed weeks ago by Russia's parliament,... but Putin insisted they also be approved by a referendum to give the changes more legitimacy.<br />Seventy-eight percent of voters voted 'yes',... with two-thirds of eligible voters casting their ballots.<br />President Putin thanked the Russian people for their show of confidence in his leadership.<br />"I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Russia. I would like to say thank you very much for your support and trust."<br />The 'yes' vote means his presidential term resets,... allowing Putin to run twice more,... giving him a chance to stay in power until 2036.<br />If Putin stays in power for 12 more years after his current term ends,... it would make him the longest-serving Russian ruler since Peter the Great.<br />In addition to a reset of presidential terms for Putin,... the referendum also includes some 200 other amendments.<br />This includes a ban on same-sex marriage, guaranteed minimum pensions, and a provision to ban the relinquishing of any Russian territory,... a move aimed at solidifying Russia's hold on Crimea,... which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014.<br />Watchers say,... while the focus was mainly on Putin's extension in power,... the referendum may also lead to major changes in years to come.<br />Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.<br />
