Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin wants to discuss his controversial reform plans of a working group in Moscow today. Critics warn of an attack on the Russian constitution.
Moscow (AP) - In a meeting with handpicked Russian citizens in Moscow today, President Vladimir Putin discusses the greatest constitutional change in the country's history.
The group consists of athletes, artists and cosmonauts. You have made a lot of your own suggestions for the future constitution. The most recent discussion was whether the 67-year-old Putin could in future be entitled "Supreme Ruler" to continue to lead the country's fortunes. His last possible term of office expires in 2024, according to the current constitution.
According to surveys, most Russians believe that Putin initiated the constitutional amendment primarily to ensure that he remains in power beyond 2024. Numerous lawyers complain that real experts are hardly represented on the committee. In addition, the changes are so massive and fundamental that a constitutional committee would have to be convened, it says.
Many Russians expect the meeting to clarify what Putin is up to with the rapid project. The extra-parliamentary opposition accuses him of an opaque "special operation" and an attack on the Russian constitution.
Dozens of changes are planned. It is planned, for example, to anchor a State Council in the constitution. Putin could then become chairman of the State Council in the future, for example. The current constitution dates from 1993. It was adopted under Putin's predecessor Boris Yeltsin.
Putin said in 2005 that under no circumstances did he want to change the constitution. Dmitry Medvedev later changed the constitution in the presidential office and, for example, had the presidential term extended to six years. Putin then benefited from this when he returned to the Kremlin.
Most recently, the Kremlin chief had defended his change plans. It is not about his own powers, he said. After many years in power, however, he found that some things still didn't work as they should.
In the end, the Russian people should also vote on the acceptance of the changes. "This is the highest form of democracy," said Putin recently. Critics accuse him of promising to set a minimum wage and regularly adjust the basic pension to inflation in the constitution as a lure.
A discussion date on April 22 is under discussion. The day of the week could then be a day off from work, according to Kremlangaben. Parliament approved the amendments at first of three readings in January. In the end, however, the process stalled due to the many changes proposed by an external working group. The second and decisive reading - originally scheduled for February 11 - was therefore postponed.
