Vladimir Putin pushes ahead with Russia shake-up, as some fear he plans to be ‘leader for life’
- Changes will limit power of presidency, a post Putin is expected to step down from in 2024, in what critics call a ‘constitutional coup’
- Surprise reforms unveiled last week prompted resignation of PM Dmitry Medvedev and his government
President Vladimir Putin moved quickly on Monday to push through an overhaul of Russia’s political system that has fuelled speculation over his ambitions after his term expires.
Less than a week after announcing the reforms that unleashed a political storm in Russia, Putin submitted the package of constitutional amendments to lawmakers.
The bill proposes changes that would weaken the presidency by transferring some powers to parliament and state bodies including the State Council.
The overhaul would transform the State Council from an advisory body to an organ – potentially headed by Putin – that would shape domestic and foreign policy as well as social and economic development, according to the amendments.
The State Duma’s legislative committee is to discuss the package on Tuesday, and the lower house will decide Wednesday when to debate the amendments, speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said.