| President Putin submitted a draft constitutional law
on the holding of referendums to the State Duma on 19 May, Russian news
agencies reported.
The bill introduces new requirements for the holding of referendums.
For example, a group that is formed to seek the initiative must be made
up of subregional groups representing more than half of the constituent
regions of Russia, that is at least 45, according to Interfax. And each
of these regional subgroupings must have no less than 100 people. As a
result, the number of persons in an initiative group has increased to
4,500.
Commenting on the bill, "Kommersant-Daily" concluded on 20
May that if it is adopted in its present form, "referendums will
become practically impossible [to organize]." Independent Duma Deputy
Viktor Pokhmelkin told the Daily that referendums will still be held when
it is in the state's interests, such as the referendum on joining Perm
Oblast with Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug.
State Duma Legislation Committee Chairman Pavel Krasheninnikov (United
Russia) commented that referendums are only needed when it is important
to know the people's will quickly in order to take an urgent measure,
such as adopting the constitution. He said, "I hope that in the near
future such questions won't arise in Russia." JAC
See also:
Human Rights
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