Russia has the right to decide on the number and duration of terms of office of the President. This was stated on Thursday to journalists the official representative of the European Commission (EC) Peter Stano, commenting on the results of nationwide voting on the question of amending the Constitution.
"of Course, only the country itself can decide how much time a leader can hold office, but it is very important that there be a system of checks and balances and that the elections were free, fair and democratic. There should be no restrictions against the opposition or political competition", – said Stano.
According to him, the EU is "aware of reports about violations in the voting process", and calls on Russia to thoroughly investigate all such cases. The representative of the EC recalled the EU’s position on Crimea, which also voted on changes to the Constitution, and on the analysis of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe amendments and expressed the hope that Russia will continue to fulfil its international obligations, including before the European court of human rights.
As told TASS on Wednesday Russia’s permanent representative to the EU Vladimir Chizhov, the Russian diplomats repeatedly have to explain that the essence of the amendments to the 79th article of the Constitution is to ensure that "the international obligations which Russia has voluntarily taken and undertakes, by signing the relevant contracts and agreements should fully comply with the provisions of" basic law. According to him, this change, "divided the concept of international obligations under all the conventions, treaties and agreements and their interpretation by various international or simply foreign institutions" Russia "do not have to agree with that interpretation, which will give even dobronameran, not to mention malicious, interpreters of international legal provisions".
A nationwide vote on the issue of amending the Constitution of the Russian Federation took place from 25 June to 1 July, the main was the last day. Voting over several days was organized to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The amendments came into force, they must support more than half of the votes, the turnout is not set. According to the CEC, after processing 100% of protocols of amendment to the Constitution supported 77,92% of voters voted against of 21.27%, the total turnout in the country amounted to 67,97%.
