# Constitutional amendments (2020)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/2020-constitutional-amendments
Categories: main-event

A nationwide vote approved amendments to the constitution, including a provision resetting Putin's presidential terms, allowing him to serve until 2036. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Russia hard, and the Sputnik V vaccine was registered in August. The amendments also defined marriage as between a man and a woman. The amendments cleared the way for Putin's long-term rule.

## Why it matters
The amendments cleared the way for Putin's long-term rule.

Ruler at the time: [Vladimir Putin](https://history-russia.com/rulers/vladimir-putin-2012)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — 2020 Russian constitutional referendum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Russian_constitutional_referendum)
- [Wikipedia — COVID-19 pandemic in Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Russia)
- [Wikipedia — History of the Russian Federation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Russian_Federation)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Constitutional amendments](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Constitutional+amendments)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)