Changes in the Constitution: Russia follows the global practice of sovereign States

Author: Dmitry Kiselev

most Important changes in the Constitution, which, on the one hand, preserve its base and create a slightly different configuration of government in which the responsibility of the Parliament and government increases. Russia remains a presidential Republic with a strong presidential power, otherwise so vast and so multi-ethnic country with a complex device steady can not exist, but the Prime Minister’s role becomes more distinct, and the political parties in Parliament will depend more and more. From the governors in the new Design will also depend on more. A new role in the amendments to the Constitution, and given to the state Council.

Formally, Putin proposed amendments to the Constitution can take and the Federal Assembly, but the President proposed to hold a national ballot, when the principle of direct democracy, every citizen will have the legal right to say “Yes” or “no”. Now for the formulation of the constitutional amendments established a broad working group.

Author: Alexander Khristenko

This is the message of the President immediately initiated a large-scale discussion, we are talking about a possible amendment to the Constitution, that is, in the political structure of the country. This applies to absolutely everyone.

the Basic law was adopted in 1993 in the face of severe political crisis, when in Moscow, shooting tanks, and in the North Caucasus Mature hotbed of international terrorism. Today the situation is fundamentally different.

“We did a lot. Restored the unity of the country. Finished with the situation where some government functions have been usurped in fact oligarchic clans. Russia returned to international politics as a country whose opinion cannot be ignored. We have created a powerful reserves that are multiples increases the stability of our state. Think it’s time to make the basic law some changes that right Garantiroot priority of the Russian Constitution in our legal space. The requirements of international law and treaties as well as decisions of international bodies can act on the territory of Russia only to the extent that they do not entail restriction of the rights and freedoms of man and citizen, do not contradict our Constitution,” — said Vladimir Putin.

Continuing the conversation — the next day at the meeting of the Working group on preparation of proposals on introducing amendments to the Constitution.

“We clearly follow the conventions that sign. But the problem today arose because, as a supranational body, for example, the European court of human rights interprets the Convention. There are fundamentally new provisions, under which Russia had not signed”, — said Andrey Klishas, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on constitutional legislation and state construction.

“I agree with you that someone is always the temptation to direct the Russian side. What we see, I see. Sometimes the same European court and we will comply with all his decisions, unfortunately, takes a clearly illegal decisions. That’s what is unacceptable,” Putin said.

At the same time, proclaiming the priority of its basic law, Russia follows the global practice of sovereign States.

“This isn’t some unique situation, the same legal provisions and in Western countries, including in Germany, particularly in the UK. In the United States they have just written that international law is a minor matter. Pay attention to the fact that the international obligation for countries to arise from the ratification of an agreement. Ratification is issued by the Federal law. Laws must conform to the Constitution, there is no contradiction can not be”, — said the acting Minister of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov.

it is Necessary that the priorityom national interests over any other, particularly foreign, and guided by people in power. But because Putin has proposed to enshrine in the Constitution the prohibition to have foreign citizenship or a residence permit for those wishing to be elected to the state Duma, the Federation Council, for those who want to hold high posts, Ministers, governors, heads of Federal agencies.

“Meaning, the mission of public service is in service, and the person who chooses this path must first decide that he commits with Russia, with our people, nothing else, without any semitones and assumptions”, — the President emphasized.

Even more stringent requirements to aspiring to the highest office in the country. Putin proposed to make the Constitution a requirement that a presidential candidate can only be someone who resides in Russia for at least 25 years and have never had a foreign citizenship or residence permit.

“I Know that in our society, discusses the constitutional provision that the same person should not hold the office of President of the Russian Federation for more than two consecutive terms. Do not consider this question of principle, but I agree with this”, — Putin said.

he believes it is Extremely important to enshrine in basic law common to all citizens social guarantees regardless of region of residence: “I Consider it necessary to enact a provision in the Constitution of the norm that the minimum wage in Russia cannot be below the subsistence minimum of able-bodied population, we have that in the law there is. It is necessary to fix it in the Constitution.”

the minimum wage established by Federal law simultaneously for the entire territory of Russia. And for the last 5 years has increased more than two times. Based on this value, are calculated and allowances for pregnancy, delivery, and for temporary disability.

Putin also proposed to enshrine in the Constitution of the state social obligations to pensioners: “Mustabout to be spelled out that Russia is guaranteed a decent pension and the regular indexation of pensions. It seems that we already do it today, but it was not always so. Many are well aware of this. Not enough money, there are many priorities, pensioners will have to wait. If we fix in the Constitution the need for indexing, so never in the future no one will tell you.”

And one of the most discussed proposals of the President — the granting of the Duma of its powers.

“Almost all the factions represented in the Duma, and with their leaders, we meet regularly, I believe that the Federal Assembly is ready to assume greater responsibility for the formation of the government. And if you take a great responsibility for the formation of a government, it means, to assume greater responsibility for the policies that this government is pursuing. I agree with this approach. I agree completely,” — said Putin.

the President has proposed to entrust the state Duma not just approval, and the approval of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers.

“Imagine, appointed by the Prime Minister, the President has no right to reject the nomination, and then the Prime Minister goes to the President with their proposals, and goes to Parliament, and Parliament is actually in its final form says Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Ministers”, — said Putin.

“will there be an opportunity for the President to put the question, if anyone of the Ministers or Vice-premiers is not working well enough on the line and tell him “goodbye”? – asked Leonid Roshal, President, National medical chamber, the President of Institute of emergency pediatric surgery and traumatology.

“Yes, Russia must remain at the same time, a presidential Republic, the President must be retained substantial powers associated with possible Ustrathe application from office those who violate the law, unscrupulous who performs his duties, and in connection with loss of trust. This is absolutely necessary, in my opinion. Otherwise, we will go there quite in a parliamentary Republic, with our complex organization of the state, with a multi-religious and multi-ethnic, with a vast territory. This, in my opinion, today Russia would be a very serious challenge, it is unknown what would it ended. Therefore, flexible combination and the increasing role of the Parliament and engagement with the government in the preservation of significant prerogatives in the hands of the head of state will be justified,” — said the head of state.

Putin also proposed to give new powers to the Federation Council, in particular, with the upper house, the President will have to consult in the appointment of heads of all power departments.

“It is the President determines domestic and foreign policy. The President is the Supreme commander. The President is accountable to the government. And so on, I will not enumerate. But at the same time, it is a step to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions”, — said the Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko.

“This is a new filling of the institutions of government powers. They are different in quality. And is all you need to understand”, — said the Chairman of the state Duma Vyacheslav Volodin.

it is Expected that there will be dozens of proposals. Everything will be discussed in this working group. Citizens of Russia will speak on the vote.

Text: “News of the week”