Russia to hold nationwide vote on Putin’s proposed constitutional changes
A working group chaired by Russia’s president Vladimir Putin has set a date for a nationwide vote on the proposed amendments to the country’s constitution.
Speaking at the meeting, Putin welcomed the amendments to emphasize respect for Russia’s history spanning from the time of the czars to the Soviet Union.
Putin served from 2000 until 2008. Then, because of the current rules, he was forced to switch positions with prime minister Dmitry Medvedev. He was re-elected again in 2012 and in 2018.
Analysts see his amendments as part of his efforts to stay in power after his current presidential term ends in 2024. It still remains unclear from the proposed changes how exactly he plans to do that.
Putin has previously explained that he rushed the proposed reforms with the intention to strengthen government bodies. Political observers say he may use the constitutional reform as a peg to launch a new count.
The decision of the working group coincides with the 150th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Lenin, the Soviet Union’s first leader.