Russia to Vote Next Month on Reforms That Could Extend Putin’s Rule

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Moscow Mayor to discuss the epidemiological situation in the Russian capital, via a teleconference call at Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, Russia, on May 27, 2020. Aleksey Nikolskyi / various sources / SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

MOSCOW—Russia will hold a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms on July 1, President Vladimir Putin said on June 1, setting the stage for a delayed ballot that could extend his rule until 2036.

Putin postponed the original vote, which had been set for April 22, because of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus outbreak, saying the health and safety of citizens was his top priority as the pandemic worsened.