2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia

2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia
Name	2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia
Location	Russia
Date	2020

2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia were a series of amendments to the Constitution of Russia that were proposed by Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, in January 2020. The amendments were aimed at consolidating power in the hands of the president and altering the balance of power in the Government of Russia. The proposed changes sparked significant debate and controversy both domestically and internationally. The amendments were ultimately approved by a national vote in July 2020.

Background

The idea of constitutional amendments was first proposed by Vladimir Putin during his annual address to the Federal Assembly of Russia on January 15, 2020. At the time, Putin was serving as president, but his constitutional four-term limit as president was set to expire in 2024. The proposed amendments aimed to reset the presidential term count, allowing Putin to run for re-election in 2024 and potentially remain in power until 2036.

The proposed amendments also included changes to the State Duma, the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, and the Council of Federation, the upper house. The amendments were developed by a Working Group on the Preparation of Proposals for Constitutional Amendments, established by Putin and chaired by Andrei Sobyanin, the Mayor of Moscow.

Constitutional amendments

The amendments made significant changes to the Constitution of Russia, including:

* Resetting the presidential term count, allowing Vladimir Putin to run for re-election in 2024 and potentially remain in power until 2036. * Strengthening the role of the President of Russia in the Government of Russia, including the power to appoint and dismiss prime ministers and other officials. * Altering the balance of power in the Federal Assembly of Russia, including changes to the State Duma and the Council of Federation. * Introducing new requirements for presidential candidates, including a minimum age of 35 and a minimum of 10 years of residency in Russia.

Voting process

The amendments were approved by a national vote, which took place from June 25 to July 1, 2020. The vote was originally scheduled for April 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia. The voting process was overseen by the Central Election Commission of Russia, which reported a turnout of 67.9% and a 78.2% approval rate for the amendments.

The voting process was criticized by opposition groups and international observers, who raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the restrictions on public debate. Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition leader, called for a boycott of the vote, citing concerns about the legitimacy of the process.

Reactions and implications

The approval of the amendments sparked significant reactions both domestically and internationally. Opposition groups and human rights organizations expressed concerns about the implications for Russian democracy and the rule of law. International leaders, including Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States, and Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union, expressed concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions in Russia.

The amendments also had significant implications for Russian politics, including the potential for Vladimir Putin to remain in power for an extended period. The changes also sparked debate about the future of Russian governance and the balance of power in the Government of Russia.

Impact on Russian politics

The 2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia have had a significant impact on Russian politics, including:

* Consolidating power in the hands of Vladimir Putin, who is now able to run for re-election in 2024 and potentially remain in power until 2036. * Altering the balance of power in the Government of Russia, including changes to the State Duma and the Council of Federation. * Eroding democratic institutions and the rule of law in Russia, according to opposition groups and international observers.

The amendments have also sparked debate about the future of Russian governance and the potential for authoritarianism in Russia. Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a Russian businessman and opposition leader, has argued that the amendments are a "constitutional coup" that will lead to further authoritarianism in Russia. Ilya Yashin, a Russian opposition leader, has called for continued protests and activism to defend democratic institutions in Russia.

Category:Constitutional amendments