Week-ending 27 March 2020
Putin Postpones Vote On Constitutional Changes Due To Coronavirus
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed an April 22 vote on sweeping constitutional changes that could allow him to remain in power until 2036 because of concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. Speaking in a live television broadcast on March 25, Putin said a new date for balloting will be determined based on the recommendations of health experts.
Source: RFE/RL, 25 March 2020
The Appeal to the Council of Europe on Amendments to the Russian Constitution Received Strong Support from Russian Citizens
The appeal to the Council of Europe asking the Venice Commission for an urgent legal examination of the amendments to the Russian Constitution and the procedures for their adoption has been signed by more than a hundred thousand Russian citizens in a week. Among the many recent protests in Russia in response to what many have called a ’constitutional coup’ and an ‘usurpation of power’, this initiative has received the most active support of Russian citizens. A number of media outlets including “Ekho Moskvy”, “Meduza”, “Novaya Gazeta”, Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty, “Vedomosti” and others have written about the initiative and its strong support in the population.
Source: EU-Russia Civil Society Form, 19 March 2020
