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Opposition leaders such as Alexei Navalny commented that Putin was interested in being 'leader for life'. Mikhail Kasyanov, a former prime minister and Putin critic, said he wanted to retain. Russian MPs introduce bill to give Putin lifetime immunity from prosecution 0 shares Putin has introduced a raft of reforms that would help expand his power and extend his tenure, allowing him to run for life or remain in politics without needing to be the president. Putin's payout: Trump has repeatedly failed to respond to human rights violations or support democracy abroad, creating a more permissive environment for autocrats to crack down. The pattern is clear: Putin has received—and continues to receive—a good payout on his investment in Trump's campaign. Vladimir Putin's talk of Great Russia did chime with a nation that felt strong and stable after the trauma of the post-Soviet years. But here, in the freezing heart of Siberia, it seems the cracks.
The Kremlin was forced to deny that Vladimir Putin had health problems on Wednesday after he suffered a coughing fit during a televised meeting.
The Russian president, 68, struggled to finish his sentence while speaking to top officials about 'acute financial problems' caused by Covid-19.
The video was later edited so that Putin's coughing fit seemed less severe in a version posted by his office.
State news agency TASS asked the Kremlin about Putin's health and was told he was 'absolutely normal'. 'The president apologised and continued the meeting almost without pausing,' the agency said.
© Provided by Daily Mail Health scare: Russian president Vladimir Putin covers his mouth as a coughing fit disrupts his televised meeting with senior officials on WednesdayPutin was speaking by video call to his finance minister Anton Siluanov and other senior officials when the coughing fit started.
He uttered 'Excuse me' and repeatedly raised his right hand to his mouth as he struggled to go on.
The footage of the president's remarks later posted on the Kremlin website edited the worst of his coughing, including when he said 'excuse me'.
Radio Mayak, which had broadcast an original stream, reported: 'Putin's vocal cords gave in as he was setting his government to fight Covid-19.'
Unlike world leaders such as Boris Johnson and Donald Trump, Putin is believed so far to have avoided contracting Covid-19.
Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed claims that Putin could step down as early as January 2021 following rumours that he had Parkinson's disease.
'It's absolute nonsense,' said Peskov. 'Everything is fine with the president.'
Despite Russia having two vaccines available - one tested by his daughter Katerina, 34 - Putin has not been injected, it is understood.
He has remained largely isolated in recent months after a scare in April when he came into contact with infected doctors at a Moscow clinic.
© Provided by Daily Mail Putin had to pause during his meeting with his finance minister and other officials, but the Kremlin rejected concerns about his healthPutin's current term expires in 2024 but a constitutional amendment passed earlier this year makes him eligible for two more terms, meaning he could rule until 2036.
The former KGB officer took power when Boris Yeltsin resigned on the last day of the 20th century, and Putin has been either president or prime minister ever since.
The health scare came on Wednesday as Russia announced a record daily death toll of 456 coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total to 34,387.
Total infections, which are the fifth-highest in the world, rose to the brink of two million after 20,985 new cases were reported in 24 hours.
Putin told the one-and-a-half hour meeting that the situation with coronavirus remains 'critical' in many regions and called on the finance ministry to provide help.
Earlier he sounded the alarm over rising fatalities, saying: 'The number of new cases is rising… and what's most alarming - the death rate is increasing'.
There have also been concerns that Russia has downplayed the true toll, and that the death figures are significantly higher.
Read more© Provided by Daily Mail MailOnline logoVladimir Putin has given a rare signal that he is looking to quit the Kremlin rather than rule as president until he dies. Gpg for mac download.
An unexpected new law is being rushed through the Russian parliament which would make the strongman a senator for life if and when he leaves the country's highest office.
The new draft legislation was introduced by Putin himself, and would guarantee him legal immunity and state perks until he dies.
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State-run RT media forecast the move will be seen 'as a sign that the groundwork is being laid for an eventual transition of power in Russia'.
Putin, 68, and any subsequent ex-president will be permitted within three months of leaving the presidency to become a member of the Federation Council, the country's upper house or senate, for life.
'This is Russia copying the outdated British system of life peers in the House of Lords,' said one Moscow source.
The law comes just four months after Putin changed the constitution to permit him a tsar-like hold on power by seeking a new six year term in 2024, and again in 2030.
Video: 'Russia and Iran have obtained voter information ahead of US election, officials say' (Evening Standard)
Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed claims that Putin could step down as early as January 2021 following rumours that he had Parkinson's disease.
'It's absolute nonsense,' said Peskov. 'Everything is fine with the president.'
Despite Russia having two vaccines available - one tested by his daughter Katerina, 34 - Putin has not been injected, it is understood.
He has remained largely isolated in recent months after a scare in April when he came into contact with infected doctors at a Moscow clinic.
© Provided by Daily Mail Putin had to pause during his meeting with his finance minister and other officials, but the Kremlin rejected concerns about his healthPutin's current term expires in 2024 but a constitutional amendment passed earlier this year makes him eligible for two more terms, meaning he could rule until 2036.
The former KGB officer took power when Boris Yeltsin resigned on the last day of the 20th century, and Putin has been either president or prime minister ever since.
The health scare came on Wednesday as Russia announced a record daily death toll of 456 coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total to 34,387.
Total infections, which are the fifth-highest in the world, rose to the brink of two million after 20,985 new cases were reported in 24 hours.
Putin told the one-and-a-half hour meeting that the situation with coronavirus remains 'critical' in many regions and called on the finance ministry to provide help.
Earlier he sounded the alarm over rising fatalities, saying: 'The number of new cases is rising… and what's most alarming - the death rate is increasing'.
There have also been concerns that Russia has downplayed the true toll, and that the death figures are significantly higher.
Read more© Provided by Daily Mail MailOnline logoVladimir Putin has given a rare signal that he is looking to quit the Kremlin rather than rule as president until he dies. Gpg for mac download.
An unexpected new law is being rushed through the Russian parliament which would make the strongman a senator for life if and when he leaves the country's highest office.
The new draft legislation was introduced by Putin himself, and would guarantee him legal immunity and state perks until he dies.
© Provided by Daily Mail Vladimir Putin is drafting a new law which would make the strongman a senator for life if and when he leaves the country's highest officePutin Life Coach
State-run RT media forecast the move will be seen 'as a sign that the groundwork is being laid for an eventual transition of power in Russia'.
Putin, 68, and any subsequent ex-president will be permitted within three months of leaving the presidency to become a member of the Federation Council, the country's upper house or senate, for life.
'This is Russia copying the outdated British system of life peers in the House of Lords,' said one Moscow source.
The law comes just four months after Putin changed the constitution to permit him a tsar-like hold on power by seeking a new six year term in 2024, and again in 2030.
Video: 'Russia and Iran have obtained voter information ahead of US election, officials say' (Evening Standard)
This change, following a nationwide vote seen in the West as rigged, was widely interpreted as Putin actively seeking to remain in power until he is aged 83.
This triggered memes showing how the famously macho leader might look if he remains at the Kremlin helm for so long.
© Provided by Daily Mail Putin, 68, and any subsequent ex-president will be permitted within three months of leaving the presidency to become a member of the Federation CouncilYet most Russian officials are forced to quit by the age of 70, and the surprise move perhaps indicates he intends to nominate a chosen successor sooner rather than later.
Or it could be an insurance policy in case he is forced out by ill health.
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Putin would still be a decade younger than a newly inaugurated 78-year-old Joe Biden if the Democrat wins the White House in tomorrow's US election.
Under the new rules, Putin would be able to become a senator for life within three months of leaving the presidency either early or at the end of his term.
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The scheme will also permit seven other senators for life, people who have given 'outstanding service to the country', a move perhaps enabling rewards to his closest cronies.
Putin is already the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Stalin.
He took over the Russian presidency from Boris Yeltsin on the last day of 1999 - and has been head of state ever since apart from four years as prime minister between 2008-12 when ally Dmitry Medvedev took the top office.