* Prominent critic has claimed Putin, 68, is 'suffering from Parkinson's disease'
* Suggested his family - and lover Alina Kabaeva - urged him to quit in January
* Kremlin has dismissed claims as 'nonsense' saying Putin is in 'excellent health'
* The leader is also seeking life-long immunity in new bills introduced this week
* Putin would become a senator for life and receive state perks after office
The Kremlin has denied Vladimir Putin is planning to quit as Russian President amid claims he is suffering from ill health and may step down as early as January.
The 68-year-old strongman's future has been the subject of increasing speculation after prominent critic Professor Valery Solovei suggested the leader had Parkinson's and that his family - and lover Alina Kabaeva - had urged him to retire in the new year.
But on Friday morning, Kremlin spokesman and deputy chief of staff Dmitry Peskov insisted Putin was in 'excellent health' and dismissed the claims as 'complete nonsense'.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The Kremlin usually takes a day to deny a rumor pertaining to Russian President Putin's health. This one took a few days.
More News On The Kremlin Denying Reports That Russian President Putin Will Resign Due To Health Problems
Here We Go Again: Parkinson's, Cancer & Other Bizarre Media Allegations About Putin's Health -- Sputnik
UK media report that Putin is ill and poised to quit is 'nonsense,' says Kremlin -- FOX News/Reuters Kremlin denies reports Putin planning to quit amid health fears -- Al Jazeera