Russia`s central Election Commission announced that President Vladimir Putin`s proposed constitutional amendment referendum won majority support. The Electoral Commission counted 85 per cent of the votes, with 77.6 per cent supporting constitutional amendments. The constitutional amendment includes the extension of the president`s powers, Putin will be able to run for the next president.
So far, Russia`s president has been re-elected only once, and Putin must leave office after he expires in 2024. But when the new constitution comes into effect, Putin`s term so far is no longer counted. Since each term of office is six years, Putin can theoretically serve as president until 2036.
2000 to date
Since May 2000, Putin has become President of Russia. To circumvent the two-term limit, he handed over the presidency to his ally, Medvedev, in 2008 and himself as prime minister, re-elected in 2012.
A week-long referendum is not necessary in law. parliament have approved the amendment, the constitution court has confirmed, and Putin has signed it. The referendum was held because Putin promised that some 170 changes would take effect only if they were supported by the Russian public.
The constitutional amendment also includes a wide range of social welfare reforms, including raising the minimum salary and pension., in addition to a range of conservative values embedded, including the prohibition of same-sex marriage.
protest opposed to constitutional amendment in Moscow
Vote for awards: cars, house
The election commission said the referendum vote was 65%. government launched a large-scale propaganda campaign throughout the country. The last day of the vote was declared a holiday. In addition, voters can also participate in the lottery, prizes including housing and cars.
Critics question official figures. The Independent Electoral Observer Golos says there are hundreds of report, official results that violate elections & are quot; generally doubtful & quot;.. Russian opposition party politician Navarney (Alexej Nawalny) denounced the referendum as a quot; huge lie & quot;. He said :& quot; the so-called results they are now announcing are fake. & quot; this has nothing to do with & quot; Russian opinion & quot;.
Putin authority bigge
The election committee`s director, Pam Filova (Ella Pamfilowa), denied that there were & quot; no serious irregularities throughout the election & quot;. After the referendum, she thanked the voters :& quot; you to understand the content of the amendment, to think, to express the will -- to vote as you think right. & quot; Pamphirova says it shows no indifference to state affairs.
People don`t immediately feel the change, but it has a long-term impact on Russian politics. Putin has not only been allowed to run for two more presidents, but his powers have been strengthened after the constitutional amendment. His law would take precedence over international law. Furthermore, the indivisibility of Russian territory constitution -- in the Kremlin`s view, also includes the annexation of the Crimean peninsula.