Russia's lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed in its first reading a bill that would grant former presidents immunity once they leave office.

The legislation, published on the lower house State Duma website, is among constitutional amendments that were approved this summer in a nationwide vote and will allow President Vladimir&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;to again run for office when his fourth term ends in 2024.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-submits-bill-to-grant-ex-presidents-immunity-from-prosecution-340857">Russia submits bill to grant ex-presidents immunity from prosecution</a>

If passed, the bill grants former presidents and their families immunity from persecution for crimes committed during their lifetime. They will also be exempt from searches, arrests or questioning.&nbsp;

Currently, former presidents are only immune from persecution for crimes committed while in office.

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The State Duma on Tuesday approved the bill in the first of three readings.&nbsp;

To be passed into law the bill will need approval from the upper house,&nbsp;the Federation Council,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Putin's signature.&nbsp;

Under the bill, a former president could be stripped of immunity if accused of treason or other grave crimes and the charges are confirmed by the Supreme and Consitutional courts.

Then both chambers of parliament must support the motion by a two-thirds majority.

Lawmaker Pavel Krasheninnikov, one of the bill's authors, told state news agency RIA Novosti that the new legislation will not apply to Mikhail Gorbachev, who was president of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991.

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As&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;is still in office, Dmitry Medvedev -- who was head of state between 2008-2012 -- is Russia's only living former president.

The State Duma on Tuesday also passed in its first reading another bill that will grant ex-presidents a lifetime seat in the Federation Council, a position that also provides immunity from prosecution.&nbsp;

The bills have sparked rumours that&nbsp;Putin, 68, is planning to step down, but the Kremlin denied this saying he is in good health.

Russia's lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed in its first reading a bill that would grant former presidents immunity once they leave office. The legislation, published on the lower house State Duma website, is among constitutional amendments that were approved this summer in a nationwide vote and will allow President Vladimir Putin to again run for office when his fourth term ends in 2024.

Russia's lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed in its first reading a bill that would grant former presidents immunity once they leave office. The legislation, published on the lower house State Duma website, is among constitutional amendments that were approved this summer in a nationwide vote and will allow President Vladimir Putin to again run for office when his fourth term ends in 2024. Also read: Russia submits bill to grant ex-presidents immunity from prosecution If passed, the bill grants former presidents and their families immunity from persecution for crimes committed during their lifetime. They will also be exempt from searches, arrests or questioning. Currently, former presidents are only immune from persecution for crimes committed while in office. The State Duma on Tuesday approved the bill in the first of three readings. To be passed into law the bill will need approval from the upper house, the Federation Council, and Putin's signature. Under the bill, a former president could be stripped of immunity if accused of treason or other grave crimes and the charges are confirmed by the Supreme and Consitutional courts. Then both chambers of parliament must support the motion by a two-thirds majority. Lawmaker Pavel Krasheninnikov, one of the bill's authors, told state news agency RIA Novosti that the new legislation will not apply to Mikhail Gorbachev, who was president of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. × As Putin is still in office, Dmitry Medvedev -- who was head of state between 2008-2012 -- is Russia's only living former president. The State Duma on Tuesday also passed in its first reading another bill that will grant ex-presidents a lifetime seat in the Federation Council, a position that also provides immunity from prosecution. The bills have sparked rumours that Putin, 68, is planning to step down, but the Kremlin denied this saying he is in good health.

Russia's lower house of parliament approves bill to give Putin lifetime immunity

Russia has&nbsp;submitted a bill to the parliament that can grant ex-presidents'immunity from criminal prosecution could be extended to any offences committed in their lifetimes, not merely while in office.

The bill is one of several being introduced following constitutional reforms that, among other things, allow President Vladimir Putin to run again when his term ends in 2024.

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The draft legislation is being carefully parsed for clues as to what Putin, who has dominated Russian politics for more than two decades, plans to do in 2024.

Former presidents already enjoy lifetime immunity for crimes committed in the office under legislation adopted after Russia's first post-Soviet president, Boris Yeltsin, handed the reins of power to Putin at the turn of the century.

The new bill would also make it harder to revoke ex-presidents' expanded immunity.

It would require the upper house of parliament to vote overwhelmingly to revoke it on the strength of accusations by the lower house that the president had committed treason or another serious crime.

The bill will become law if the lower house votes to approve it in three readings, the upper house backs it, and Putin then signs it.

Russia has submitted a bill to the parliament that can grant ex-presidents'immunity from criminal prosecution could be extended to any offences committed in their lifetimes, not merely while in office.

Russia has submitted a bill to the parliament that can grant ex-presidents'immunity from criminal prosecution could be extended to any offences committed in their lifetimes, not merely while in office. The bill is one of several being introduced following constitutional reforms that, among other things, allow President Vladimir Putin to run again when his term ends in 2024. The draft legislation is being carefully parsed for clues as to what Putin, who has dominated Russian politics for more than two decades, plans to do in 2024. Former presidents already enjoy lifetime immunity for crimes committed in the office under legislation adopted after Russia's first post-Soviet president, Boris Yeltsin, handed the reins of power to Putin at the turn of the century. The new bill would also make it harder to revoke ex-presidents' expanded immunity. It would require the upper house of parliament to vote overwhelmingly to revoke it on the strength of accusations by the lower house that the president had committed treason or another serious crime. The bill will become law if the lower house votes to approve it in three readings, the upper house backs it, and Putin then signs it.

Russia submits bill to grant ex-presidents immunity from prosecution

Russian President Vladimir Putin today proposed a referendum to give the Parliament more powers to choose the prime minister in a speech, a move which could have far-reaching consequences for the country's future.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-putin-inaugurates-rail-route-to-annexed-crimea-269804">Also Read:&nbsp;Russian President Putin inaugurates rail route to annexed Crimea</a>

"I consider it necessary to conduct a vote by the country's citizens on an entire package of proposed amendments to the country's constitution," Putin said, adding, "We will be able to build a strong prosperous Russia only on the basis of respect for public opinion."

"Together we will certainly change life for the better," he added.

Putin, 67, is set to step down as president in 2024 with Russia set for parliamentary elections in 2021. Under the Russian constitution, a person cannot serve more than two successive presidential terms.

"Russia must remain a strong presidential republic," Putin said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-putin-has-lied-about-poland-on-numerous-occasions-pm-mateusz-morawiecki-271197">Read More: President Putin has lied about Poland on numerous occasions, says PM Mateusz Morawiecki</a> 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
In December, during a marathon press conference, the Russian president had dropped broad hints that he might not seek another term in 2024.

"Your humble servant served two successive terms and then stepped down and had the constitutional right to return to the post of president," he said, adding, "but some of our political scientists and activists do not like this and maybe this could be removed, possibly."

“One thing that could be changed about these (presidential) terms is removing the clause about 'successive' (terms)," Putin said.

The Russian presidency was handed to Putin by Boris Yeltsin in 1999, the Russian leader served as president from 2000 to 2008 and then as premier from 2000 to 2012 and then returned as president in 2019.

Russian President Vladimir Putin today proposed a referendum to give the Parliament more powers to choose the prime minister in a speech, a move which could have far-reaching consequences for the country's future.

Russian President Vladimir Putin today proposed a referendum to give the Parliament more powers to choose the prime minister in a speech, a move which could have far-reaching consequences for the country's future. Also Read: Russian President Putin inaugurates rail route to annexed Crimea "I consider it necessary to conduct a vote by the country's citizens on an entire package of proposed amendments to the country's constitution," Putin said, adding, "We will be able to build a strong prosperous Russia only on the basis of respect for public opinion." "Together we will certainly change life for the better," he added. Putin, 67, is set to step down as president in 2024 with Russia set for parliamentary elections in 2021. Under the Russian constitution, a person cannot serve more than two successive presidential terms. "Russia must remain a strong presidential republic," Putin said. Read More: President Putin has lied about Poland on numerous occasions, says PM Mateusz Morawiecki In December, during a marathon press conference, the Russian president had dropped broad hints that he might not seek another term in 2024. "Your humble servant served two successive terms and then stepped down and had the constitutional right to return to the post of president," he said, adding, "but some of our political scientists and activists do not like this and maybe this could be removed, possibly." “One thing that could be changed about these (presidential) terms is removing the clause about 'successive' (terms)," Putin said. The Russian presidency was handed to Putin by Boris Yeltsin in 1999, the Russian leader served as president from 2000 to 2008 and then as premier from 2000 to 2012 and then returned as president in 2019.

Now, Putin proposes referendum to boost Russian parliament's powers

Russia's parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin's amendments to a deeply unpopular pension reform plan that has led to a rare outburst of public anger in the country.&nbsp;

Parliament's lower house, the State Duma, approved Putin's proposal to soften the reform, raising the state pension age for women by five years to 60, instead of eight years to 63.&nbsp;

In a rare televised address in August, the Russian president proposed a number of concessions, in an apparent attempt to stem a major fall in his approval ratings.

"We have reached a consensus on this matter and everyone has supported the president's amendments," said Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin on Wednesday.

The reform bill was approved by the State Duma in a first reading in July. It has to be approved in a key second and third reading before being signed into law by Putin.&nbsp;

The reform -- that would see Russian men retire at 65 instead 60 -- has sparked a rare outburst of public anger, with tens of thousands rallying across Russia in recent months.

Putin's announcement of the concessions has done little to pacify ordinary Russians.

Most are opposed to the hike in retirement age and critics said the reform would essentially rob ordinary people of their earnings.&nbsp;

Street protests have continued and the Kremlin faced a rare electoral crisis after candidates of the ruling party failed to win governorship polls in four regions this month.

Some 3,000 people demonstrated in Moscow last week against the reform in a protest organised by the Communist Party.

Heeding a call by protest leader Alexei Navalny, thousands of Russians took to the streets across the country to protest against the reform earlier this month.

The pension reform, which was announced the day the World Cup started in Russia in June, will be the first retirement age increase in the country in nearly 90 years. &nbsp;

Given the low life expectancy of Russian men -- 65 years -- many would not live long enough under the reform to receive a state pension.

Russia's parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin's amendments to a deeply unpopular pension reform plan that has led to a rare outburst of public anger in the country.

Russia's parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin's amendments to a deeply unpopular pension reform plan that has led to a rare outburst of public anger in the country. Parliament's lower house, the State Duma, approved Putin's proposal to soften the reform, raising the state pension age for women by five years to 60, instead of eight years to 63. In a rare televised address in August, the Russian president proposed a number of concessions, in an apparent attempt to stem a major fall in his approval ratings. "We have reached a consensus on this matter and everyone has supported the president's amendments," said Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin on Wednesday. The reform bill was approved by the State Duma in a first reading in July. It has to be approved in a key second and third reading before being signed into law by Putin. The reform -- that would see Russian men retire at 65 instead 60 -- has sparked a rare outburst of public anger, with tens of thousands rallying across Russia in recent months. Putin's announcement of the concessions has done little to pacify ordinary Russians. Most are opposed to the hike in retirement age and critics said the reform would essentially rob ordinary people of their earnings. Street protests have continued and the Kremlin faced a rare electoral crisis after candidates of the ruling party failed to win governorship polls in four regions this month. Some 3,000 people demonstrated in Moscow last week against the reform in a protest organised by the Communist Party. Heeding a call by protest leader Alexei Navalny, thousands of Russians took to the streets across the country to protest against the reform earlier this month. The pension reform, which was announced the day the World Cup started in Russia in June, will be the first retirement age increase in the country in nearly 90 years. Given the low life expectancy of Russian men -- 65 years -- many would not live long enough under the reform to receive a state pension.

Russian parliament approves Putin's pension reform amendments