Putin’s presidential ‘reset’ plan gains court approval

Source: Reuters

Russia’s Constitutional Court has authorized a ‘reset’ of President Vladimir Putin’s previous terms, including a batch of amendments, providing him with the chance to govern upto 2036.

The court announced the decision on its website, approving a wide-range batch of reforms that were recommended by Putin in January and approved by both the houses of Russia’s parliament last week.

The approval arrived two days after Putin signed the reform bill, which has encountered intense critique from opposition figures who claim it will enable the Russian leader to become “president for life.”

The reforms included consenting additional power to the parliament and reinforcing the functions of the State Council, an advisory body, which has lead to an inference that Putin, first elected in 2000 could retain power in a new role.

Putin first proposed the reforms in January, in a shock to Russia’s political enterprise and was shortly followed by the resignation of prime minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Putin’s allies have supported the move, saying Putin, 67, deserves a chance to govern for another six years up to 2024, after his existing term ends, and again in 2030.

The head of the upper house Federation Council said Putin had “raised Russia from its knees,” while others added that he was the kind of stable leader Russia needed in turbulent times.

Chief opposition figure Alexei Navalny, said Putin was securing himself at least another 12 years in power, potentially allowing him to rule longer than Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

Opposition supporters have demonstrated in recent days in a series of one-person picket protests, the only means allowed in Russia without previous permission.

The opposition has ordered for mass demonstrations against the reforms but assemblies of more than 5,000 people are presently restricted in Moscow over coronavirus concerns.

The reforms also establish a mention of Russians’ “faith in God” and stipulate that marriage is a union between a man and woman, effectively banning gay marriages.

The amendments prohibit giving away Russian territory and outlaw calls encouraging such a move, as well as protecting the “historic truth” about the country’s role in World War II.

Social reforms like maintaining minimum wages so as to not let it drop below subsistence level and provision for state pensions to be regularly adjusted to inflation are also included.

A public vote on the reforms has been scheduled for April 22 but it is uncertain whether it may be delayed due to the global coronavirus crisis.