On July 1, Russia completed a nationwide plebiscite on constitutional amendments that include reforms to reset Vladimir Putin’s term clock, allowing him to run for another two terms in office. According to federal election officials, almost 78 percent of voters supported the amendments. Turnout was roughly 65 percent. Asked how the Kremlin views the results, spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the plebiscite a “triumph.” “It was easy to predict high interest in these amendments,” Peskov said. “But, of course, the incredible turnout and level of support now confirmed today was in fact very hard to anticipate.”
Cover photo: Kirill Kukhmar / TASS / Scanpix / LETA