Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday set a new date for a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms widely seen as a path toward his becoming president for life.

The vote will now take place on July 1, Putin announced during a virtual meeting of the Central Election Commission.

Though the changes are ready for Putin's approval, the amendments will become law "only if approved by a national vote," according to Russian state media. July's vote is seen as a public barometer for Putin's continued leadership, even as national trust in his presidency fell to a six-year low earlier this year amid pressure from the spread of the coronavirus.

The reform proposal also includes provisions defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman, proclaiming Russians' faith in God and bans on forfeiting Russian territory – measures expected to appeal to Putin's base of supporters.