Russia has passed a law allowing President Vladimir Putin to serve two more six-year terms, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.
Putin, who has been in power for more than 20 years, signed the bill Monday, according to a copy posted on the government's legal information website.
The law gives the 68-year-old Russian leader the possibility to remain in power until 2036. It follows revisions to Russia's constitution last year.
The reform was crafted with an array of other changes that were expected to generate popular support - such as one that gives more protection to pensions, according to Reuters.
His recent crackdown on political opponents makes it clear there will not be any room for dissent, CBS News said.
Putin is serving his second consecutive term as Russian president and his fourth in total. He was first elected president in 2000 and served two consecutive four-year terms.
Dmitry Medvedev took his place in 2008 - which political opponents viewed as a way round the country's term limits.
Putin then returned to the Kremlin in 2012 and won a reelection in 2018.
He said resetting the term count was necessary to keep officials focused on their duties instead of "darting their eyes seeking for possible successors."
Putin has been in power longer than any other Russian leader since Soviet-era dictator Josef Stalin.
