Russia: Vladimir Putin, president for life?

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This Wednesday, July 1 in Russia ends the vote on the reform of the Constitution, which should allow the Russian leader to run for two new terms. He could then, in theory, remain in power until 2036. A constitutional coup in the eyes of the opposition. A simple "reset counters" which is not unusual for supporters of the Russian president.

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With our correspondent in Moscow, Daniel Vallot

"  Putin, he's the best of presidents, and I don't see any alternative. He is intelligent, he is honest. He is a man of his word, a true leader  ! "
Dmitri was 30 years old the first time he voted for Putin. Twenty years later, this resident of Moscow remained a supporter of the Russian president. And in his eyes, nothing more natural to see him retain the reins of power until 2036.

"  You know, Russia has always been ruled by monarchs, or by a strong power, confides Dimitri. If there are too many parties, it's a mess and people have a hard time choosing. The Russians need a strong leader like a monarch. Not a dictatorship, but a happy medium.  "

For the generation that experienced the fall of communism, Vladimir Putin remains above all the man of stability, and of a certain greatness found on the international scene.

"  For the alternation in power  "

But these arguments weigh much less for the generation born after the 1990s and who only knew him in power. The generation of Alexander, a young student of 21 who decided to boycott the vote .

"  Me, I'm for the alternation in power, insists Alexander. Maybe with a leader other than Putin, things will be worse, but the problem is that we can never know  ! If he stays in power until 2036, I'll be 37 years old. I don't know what will happen between now and then, but I still hope that one day things will change in Russia.  "

► Also listen: Russia: the next constitutional reform divides opinion

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• Russia
• Vladimir Poutine
• Human rights

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