The initiatives contained in the annual Address of President Vladimir Putin to the Federal Assembly do not cause illusions. No significant changes or democratisation of the system is expected. The declared initiatives are targeted at strengthening the political system that has developed over the past 20 years and maintaining Putin in power after 2024. Life in the country will not become better, freer, and more honest.
The greatest concern is the rejection of the priority of international law and the actual liquidation of the Constitutional Court, which mean the final legalisation of repressive legislation, strengthening of an authoritarian state and isolation of Russia.
Proposals for amending the Constitution are the start of the active phase of the “transit” [of power], the main goal of which is to personally maintain Vladimir Putin in power, as well as the groups and clans around him, and to preserve the entire system. Moreover, the introduction of new posts, reformatting of the institutions of power and creation of additional add-ons will be carried out for defitie personalities.
If Putin’s proposals are implemented, the government will be approved by the State Duma which is absolutely obedient to it, which does not reflect the interests of Russian citizens and does not enjoy their trust. The judicial system will become even less independent and dependent on the executive branch of power.
Fixing of the status of the State Council with unknown powers in the Fundamental Law of the State is also aimed at creating a platform for maintaining Putin’s personal power.
The proposal to conduct a kind of “vote of citizens of the country” on the package of amendments to the Constitution represents a manipulation that will make it possible to categorically refer to the “will of citizens” without a real constitutional referendum. The rich and long-term experience gained by the Russian authorities in elections at various levels will allow them to ensure any result they need.
Personnel shifts are also an imitation of change: the appointment of Mikhail Mishustin instead of Dmitry Medvedev. “The increasing of the role and the importance of the parliament” was demonstrated by the Duma voting for the new Prime Minister the day after his candidacy was submitted, and not a single deputy voted against him.
The Yabloko party insists that the Russian political system needs a cardinal political reform that would create a real separation of powers, an independent court, competition in politics and the economy, free media, and the inviolability of private property. Only this will lead to a real change of power, rather than transit from Putin to Putin.
The Constitution must be respected, not changed.
Nikolai Rybakov,
Yabloko Chairman
