You're reading: NPR: Referendum in Russia passes, allowing Putin to remain president until 2036

Russian voters have overwhelmingly backed a referendum on constitutional changes that include a provision allowing President Vladimir Putin — who has already served for some two decades — to remain in power until 2036. With nearly all of the ballots counted, the tally for the voting that has taken place over a full week, showed a 78% “yes” vote, according to Russia’s Central Election Commission.

Read more here.