The Kremlin on Friday denied rumors that Russian President Vladimir Putin could resign in the coming months due to his health condition.
The British tabloid The Sun writes that Putin will step down early next year because he has Parkinson’s disease. As evidence, the newspaper cites a recent video in which Putin is shaken violently.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has denied the allegations and confirmed that Putin’s health is excellent.
“This is complete nonsense. Everything is fine with the president,” TASS quoted Peskov as saying.
The rumors began to spread after a bill was passed in the state council on Thursday to increase the degree of legal immunity of former presidents.
“The President of the Russian Federation shall retain his immunity after the expiry of his term of office,” the bill states. “He shall not be held criminally or administratively liable and shall not be detained, arrested or searched or questioned.”
Putin, 68, has been in power for two decades as president or prime minister, and the newly approved constitutional amendments allow him to run for president again when his current term expires in 2024.
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