MOSCOW, July 1 — Russians are set to approve constitutional reforms today denounced by critics as a manoeuvre to allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in the Kremlin for life. The changes were passed weeks ago by Russia’s parliament and copies of the new constitution are already on sale in...
Russian President Vladimir Putin shows his passport to a member of a local electoral commission as he arrives to cast his ballot in a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms at a polling station in Moscow on July 1, 2020. — AFP pic
The reforms include conservative and populist measures — like guaranteed minimum pensions and an effective ban on gay marriage — but crucially for Putin will also reset presidential term limits allowing him to potentially remain in power until 2036. There is little doubt the reforms will be approved, with a state-run exit poll of more than 163,000 voters this week showing 76 per cent in favour.Putin says the changes are needed to ensure stability and cement Russian values in the face of pernicious Western influences.“We are voting for the country... we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren,” he said yesterday in a final appeal to voters.
“For us as pensioners, it’s very important that they will increase our pension every year,” she said, adding that she had no problem with resetting presidential terms.But Oleg Dubov, a 55-year-old engineer, said there was no need for the amendments or for Putin to be able to run again. The Kremlin is keen to see a high voter turnout and makeshift polling stations cropped across the country, including some in buses, tents and on street benches that were ridiculed on social media.
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