Press Release, 1.06.2020

Photo: Nikolai Rybakov at a picket by the State Duma against the adoption of the law on amendments to the Constitution. March 10, 2020

Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov commented on the party’s position in connection with the appointment of a date for a nationwide vote on Vladimir Putin’s constitutional amendments:

– In the Yabloko party we have full consensus on the amendments. The amendments both in content and the procedure of their introduction and consideration are unlawful, unconstitutional and reactionary.

The so-called Putin’s amendments formulate an authoritarian political regime in Russia with an unlimited term of presidency. The irremovability of power until 2036 is a mortal blow to Russian statehood.

The much-vaunted “vote” has no meaning and legal force. Its results are already planned in advance.

The party is discussing the strategy in connection with the appointment of the vote and a decision will be made. Personally, I believe that we should not participate in such an act of “voting”. And it is necessary to protest against the amendments on Putin’s irremovability by all available legal means. If a significant part of Russian society refuses to vote for Putin’s irremovability, this will show that millions of people in Russia are ready to defend their freedom and dignity! The authorities will have to reckon with this.

It should be noted that today Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the all-Russian vote on constitutional amendments will be held on July 1. According to the President, this date is impeccable for voting “both from a legal point of view and sanitary considerations”.