Russian Constitution forbids two consecutive terms. Putin served two, then endorsed his close associate for the presidency. The associated gets elected, serves

Russian Constitution forbids two consecutive terms. Putin served two, then endorsed his close associate for the presidency. The associated gets elected, serves a term, then steps aside. Putin runs again, and gets elected for the third term, but not a third consecutive term. For many this looks like twisting the law, but Putin is genuinely popular among common people so most people are kind of happy he found a legal way around the limitations.