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...
Members of an electoral commission wearing protective equipment visit local residents on the last day of a weeklong nationwide vote on constitutional reforms in Moscow, Russia July 1, 2020. — Reuters pic
The Kremlin pulled out all the stops to encourage turnout, with polls extended over nearly a week, the last day of voting declared a national holiday and prizes — including apartments and cars — on offer to voters. Putin says the changes are needed to ensure stability and cement Russian values in the face of pernicious Western influences.
“There are a lot of problems in our country. And the amendments, they will help solve them, not completely but in part,” Moscow subway worker Vladimir Bodrov said after voting last week.But critics say the reforms are a cover for Putin to extend his rule after nearly 20 years in power. Divided, weakened by years of political repression and with little access to state-controlled media, Putin's opponents have failed to mount a serious “no” campaign. Restrictions on mass gatherings imposed by the coronavirus have also prevented demonstrations.
Analysts say Putin wanted to get the vote over with before Russians — already suffering from several years of falling incomes — are hit by the full economic impact of the pandemic.
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