On the advice of Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen Parliament has introduced a constitutional amendment to the State Duma that would allow Russian presidents to serve three — not just two — consecutive terms. In other words, Chechen lawmakers want to let Putin run for re-election in 2024, without the smoke and mirrors needed in 2008, when Putin stepped aside briefly for Dmitry Medvedev’s four-year placeholder presidency.

According to the legislation’s explanatory note, Russia currently needs longer-serving leaders because of the country’s “current stage of development.” Allowing third consecutive terms, argues the Chechen Parliament, would “preserve the achieved socio-political stability” without eroding democratic principles. “It would allow the people to determine Russia’s future themselves,” the draft law says. Following a reform adopted during the Medvedev presidency, Russian presidential terms are now six years long.