Russian President Vladimir Putin wants marriage to be defined as the union of a man and woman in a revised constitution, ruling out gay marriage.

It is among several constitutional amendments proposed by Putin, which are set to be put to a public vote on 22 April.

Critics see the proposals as a move by Putin to keep a hold on power after his presidential term ends in 2024.

The package includes a proclamation of Russians’ faith in God and a ban on giving away any Russian territory.

The territorial amendment would strengthen Russia’s hold on Crimea – a Ukrainian region it annexed in 2014 – and the Kuril Islands, disputed with Japan since World War Two.

Why does Vladimir Putin suddenly feel the need to write all this into Russia’s constitution?

It has less to do with reflecting current values in society and more to do with creating talking points that conceal the suspected chief reason behind the constitutional rewrite: providing a legal basis for President Putin to remain in a position of influence or power after 2024 – if not as president, then in some other role.

Among the proposed changes that get little mention in the Russian state media is the inclusion in the constitution of a little-known body called the State Council. It’s believed this could be a possible future power base for Putin.

Other amendments will end up strengthening the power of the president.

Putin is in his fourth presidential term; he has been the dominant figure in Russian politics for 20 years.

His presidency has been marked by a revival of Soviet-era symbols, conservative values and the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church.