Despite Shake-Up, Putin Rejects Idea of Soviet-Style Leaders for Life

Despite Shake-Up, Putin Rejects Idea of Soviet-Style Leaders for Life
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits a 3D panorama 'Memory speaks. The road through the war' in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Jan.18, 2020. Dmitri Lovetsky/Pool via Reuters
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MOSCOW—President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday he did not want Russia to return to the late Soviet-era practice of having lifelong rulers who died in office without a proper succession strategy.

His comments, made to World War Two veterans in St Petersburg, came days after he unveiled a sweeping shake-up of the political system which led to the resignation of Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister along with his government.