Washington–Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today made the following statement on the Russian State Duma voting to allow President Vladimir Putin to continue his presidency for two more six-year terms, until 2036:

“This is yet another scheme in Putin’s long game of keeping his grip on power. Clearly, the Kremlin dictator thinks Russia needs another tsar rather than a functioning democracy. 

“The Russian State Duma must stop advancing such reckless, authoritarian proposals. Instead, they should ensure that the people of Russia will be able to choose their next President in free and fair elections. The Russian people deserve better than an authoritarian dictator who cares only about furthering his own selfish interests. 

“I hope President Trump will join me in denouncing this tyrannical power grab that subjects the Russian people to further oppression.” 

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