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Tehran 3 July_Russia said yes to the constitutional reforms as over 77 percent of the people voted for them. The amendments, proposed by President Putin earlier this year, have caused controversy among the nation as they grant new powers to the president and parliament.
The amendments will expand the power of the Russian parliament and the Russian Constitutional Court, increase the presidency terms, allow precedence of the Russian Constitution over international law, and expand the government’s obligations in the social sphere.
The proposed amendments range from higher pensions and guaranteed minimum wages to a reset of presidency term limits that would allow President Vladimir Putin to run again for a fifth time in 2024. It was this amendment that caused a seething anger in the society.
Experts say that the victory of the referendum campaign echoes the popular support for the amendments. Despite minor local protests, even the opposition has recognized the vote.
The previous version of the Russian constitution was adopted in a critical moment when the USSR had just collapsed. So, the document was adopted hastily without a public discussion and with the direct participation of American advisers.
But today the country and the world have changed significantly. So, people here say, the constitution requires changes to make the country capable of playing its role in today's world.
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