Putin Proposes Vote on Amending Constitution

Date: 15 January 2020 - 22:06

News ID: ۷۵۱۲۸

MOSCOW (AFP/AP) -- President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed a referendum on amending Russia’s constitution to increase the powers of parliament while maintaining a strong presidential system.
"I consider it necessary to conduct a vote by the country’s citizens on an entire package of proposed amendments to the country’s constitution,” Putin said in his annual address to lawmakers, without specifying any date for a vote.
"We will be able to build a strong prosperous Russia only on the basis of respect for public opinion,” said the 67-year-old leader, who has been in power for the past 20 years.
"Together we will certainly change life for the better.”
Putin called for a boost to the powers of parliament, making lawmakers responsible for choosing the prime minister and senior cabinet members.
"This will increase the role and significance of the country’s parliament,” Putin said.
A president will not have the power to reject the proposed candidacies, Putin said, but will be able to later remove the prime minister and senior cabinet members.
"Russia must remain a strong presidential republic,” Putin said.
The role of governors would also be enhanced, he added. He suggested that a clause limiting the president to two successive terms could be changed, but did not specify how.
In December, Putin indicated he was in favor of removing the word "successive” from the clause.
Putin also suggested a constitutional change that would enshrine the priority of domestic legislation over international law.
Russia last conducted a referendum in 1993 when it adopted the constitution under Putin’s predecessor Boris Yeltsin.
Putin’s current term expires in 2024, and Russia’s political elites have been abuzz with speculation about his future plans.
The 67-year-old Putin has remained at the helm for more than 20 years — longer than any other Russian or Soviet leader since Josef Stalin. He will have to step down after his term ends under the current law, which limits the president to two consecutive terms.
Putin focused his state of the nation address on the need to encourage population growth and create new incentives for economic growth.
He said that the authorities need to do more to encourage new births and support young families. He promised that the government would offer additional subsidies to families that have children.
Putin emphasized that low incomes remain a key obstacle to population increase. Russia’s population currently stands at about 147 million.
Putin promised to encourage high-tech industries and to ease excessive business regulations.