A New York Post reporter says Vladimir Putin plans to step down next year amid
Speculation in Russia is that Putin may have Parkinson's disease.
Further from this story is Putin's partner and his two daughters are urging him to step down.
Something that may lend this story more credence is the news that broke during the day on Thursday in the US timezone that Russian ex-presidents’ immunity from criminal prosecution could be extended to any offences committed in their lifetimes, not only while in office.
A bill was submitted to Russia's Parliament on Thursday. It would become law if the lower house votes to approve it
- which requires three "readings"
- then the upper house must vote to approve it
- and Putin sign it
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Putin was head of the KGB and has since served as President of Russia since 2012. He has been around longer than that though,
- President of Russia from 1999 until 2008
- Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000, and from 2008 to 2012
