Putin is committing a “bloodless revolution”, resolving the issue of transfer of power
In the Russian Federation, the problem with the transfer of power upon the expiration of the powers of President Vladimir Putin after 2024 has been resolved.
Political observers write about this, commenting on the results of the head of state’s address to the Federal Assembly, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
In his speech, Putin proposed making a number of changes to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, significantly changing the structure of Russian power and the principles of governing the country. Thus, the Prime Minister of Russia, as well as the government of the country, will be formed by the State Duma, and the State Council will turn from an advisory body into a constitutional one.
“How are things now? In accordance with Articles 111 and 112 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the President only receives the consent of the State Duma to appoint the Chairman of the Government of Russia. And then he himself appoints the head of the cabinet, his deputies, and all the ministers. I propose to change this procedure and entrust the State Duma with not just approval, but approval of the candidacy of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation.
And then, on his proposal, on the proposal of the Chairman of the Government - all deputy prime ministers and federal ministers. In this case, the president will be obliged to appoint them to office. That is, he will not have the right to reject the candidacies of relevant officials approved by parliament. All this in itself is a very serious change in the political system,” Putin said.
The head of state also called for enshrining in the Constitution the role of the State Council, which is composed of regional leaders, State Duma factions and senior officials of the country.
“Over the past time, the State Council has shown its high efficiency. Its working groups provide professional, comprehensive and high-quality consideration of the most significant issues for citizens and the country. I consider it appropriate to consolidate in the Russian Constitution the corresponding status and role of the State Council,” said the head of state.
According to observers, these changes are the essence of the so-called “transfer” of power, allowing Vladimir Putin to retain leadership of the state. Before this, political scientists considered this possibility due to the merger of Russia and Belarus into a single “union state.” Now this need has disappeared.
“Putin introduces the State Council into the Constitution of the Russian Federation and weakens the figure of the president, taking away from him the authority to appoint the prime minister and the government. This is a scenario for the transfer of power for 2024. Putin is the head of the State Council under a weak president. Fans of horror stories about “the union state – Putin’s elegant plan to stay in power” – breathe out,” noted Belarusian opposition political observer Artem Shraibman in his blog.
“In essence, power in Russia is passing to the legislative branch. Did you want a bloodless revolution? Here you are,” adds media manager Margarita Simonyan.
The increasing role of the State Duma in the new paradigm of Russian government is noted in his blog by the director of the Center for Political Conjuncture, Alexey Chesnakov, who is close to the Kremlin.
“The importance of the State Duma elections in 2024 is increasing. The fight for seats in parliament will be fierce,” says Chesnakov.
At the same time, the head of the Ekho Moskvy radio Alexey Venediktov, who is considered to be part of the presidential pool, notes that we can talk not only about the position of head of the State Council.
“Putin reserves the opportunity (taking into account constitutional changes) to head the State Council (functions are still unknown), the State Duma (control over the government), the Federation Council (control over the security forces and judges) and even remain president. But not at the premiere (the only weakening),” Venediktov said.
At the same time, the head of the LDPR faction in parliament, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, believes that the role of the prime minister when appointed by the State Duma, on the contrary, will strengthen.
“The State Duma will not approve, but approve the candidacy of the prime minister and ministers. Accordingly, the prime minister will have more rights; he will rely on parliament,” Zhirinovsky said.
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