Demonstrations were organized this Saturday, February 15 in several cities of Russia against the project of constitutional revision carried by Vladimir Poutine, a reform carried out beating beating which feeds the conjectures on the political future of the Russian president.
Read also: Vladimir Putin sets the stage for post-2024
Organized in the form of solitary demonstration stakes - the only form of protest in Russia which does not require prior authorization -, the demonstration in St. Petersburg (north-west), however, resulted in several arrests, according to l 'NGO OVD-Info, specialized in the follow-up of the demonstrations.
The Moscow demonstration, authorized in a place far from the center and organized at the call of various opposition movements including the Left Front of Sergei Oudaltsov, for its part gathered 3000 people according to its organizer, 300 according to the police.
Sergei Oudaltsov notably told the Interfax news agency that he wanted " a referendum instead of an incomprehensible public vote ". Vladimir Putin promised that the Russians would have to vote on the text, however refusing to use the term referendum and without saying what form the electoral consultation will take.
According to OVD-Info, demonstrations were organized in several other cities, including Arkhangelsk (north-west) and Ulan-Ude (Siberia).
A surprise constitutional revision
Vladimir Putin surprised the Russians in mid-January by announcing a constitutional revision that will strengthen several of the president's prerogatives and will strengthen the role of the Council of State, a body previously consultative.
The announcement was followed by the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his government. The amendments proposed by the president were then validated unanimously at the end of January by the Russian deputies at first reading.
Read also: Russian Duma approves Putin's constitutional revision at 1st reading
For many analysts, Vladimir Putin organizes with this reform after 2024, leaving the maximum number of doors open to preserve his influence while leaving the post of president since he cannot stand for re-election.
Read also: Russia: what place does Putin reserve for the future?
