On July 1 Russians will vote in a referendum to approve changes to the constitution that will reset the clock on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s term count to zero and so in effect allow him to stand for an extra two terms in office after his current term expires in 2024.

He doesn't have to hold a referendum and there are several theories to explain what is going on. Some think that Putin was always intending to stay in office forever. Others argue that its all a ruse to prevent him becoming a lame duck and to head off a potentially damaging succession fight amongst the elite.

bne IntelliNews editor-in-chief Ben Aris talks to Ben Noble, a lecturer in Russian politics at University College London’s School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies, and Mark Galeotti, who is the author of “We need to talk about Putin” and an honorary professor, also at UCLSSEES.

Ben Aris, editor-in-chief, bne IntelliNews

Ben Noble, lecturer in Russian politics at University College London’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies

Mark Galeotti, director of the consultancy Mayak Intelligence and Honorary Professor at University College London’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies

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