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(Moscow) The Kremlin welcomed on Thursday a “triumph” after the validation in the ballot boxes of the constitutional revision authorizing in particular Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036 described by the opposition as a “lie”, when only one region of Russia opposed the reform.
Posted on July 2 2020 at 6 a.m. 11 Updated at 7 a.m. 38
France Media Agency
“There has been a triumphant referendum of confidence in President Putin,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov after the vote. spread over a week which officially ended with a “yes” victory at 77, 92%.
The vote “against” collects 20, 27%, according to the final results released on Thursday by the Election Commission. Participation was established around 65%.
Dmitri Peskov praised an “extremely high level of participation and support” and considered that these constitutional changes will be “the basis of a better future” for Russia.
The vote, originally scheduled for April, was postponed due to the COVID pandemic – 17. To avoid excessive crowds at polling stations, it took place over a week, until Wednesday, and voters had to wear protective masks and gloves.
There was never any doubt as to its outcome: the reform had been approved by the legislator at the start of the year and the new text of the Constitution is already on sale in bookstores.
The autonomous district of Nénétsie, in the Arctic, is the only region of Russia where the “no” prevailed with 51, 25% of votes, according to the official count. This isolated and sparsely populated territory, known for its reindeer herders, could soon be attached to the Arkhangelsk region, which has sparked local opposition.
Opponent Alexei Navalny called the vote “a huge lie”, calling on his supporters to mobilize for the next regional elections in September.
One of the most controversial amendments gives Vladimir Putin the option of two additional terms after the current one in 2024. He will have the opportunity to stay in the Kremlin until 2036, the year of its 84 years.
PHOTO ALEXEI DRUZHININ, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Russian President Vladimir Putin will be able to stay in the Kremlin until 2036.
The revision also introduces into the Constitution conservative principles dear to the president – faith in God, marriage reserved for heterosexuals, patriotic education -, as well as social guarantees , like indexing pensions.
According to critics of the Kremlin, the authorities have multiplied the tricks to ensure resounding success and strong electoral participation, with for example a lottery with gifts for participants and vouchers for those voting online.
The NGO Golos, specialized in election observation, received more than 2100 reports of possible violations, including cases of officials forced to go to the polls.
In a press release, she denounced on Thursday an “unprecedented” example of attack on the sovereignty of the Russian people.
The president of the Central Election Commission, Ella Pamfilova, said that “there is no doubt that the vote is valid and legitimate ”, according to the Russian agency Ria Novosti.
