Entire Russian Government Resigns as Putin Amends Constitution

[FlameOn]

The entire Russian government resigned as Putin looks at making constitutional changes. Members of the outgoing government said they were leaving to give Putin "space" to make the changes he wanted. That seems totally normally legit thing to do.

My guess is Putin enhances the powers of the Prime Minister and becomes PM for life while making the position of President to figurehead status.

Russia's prime minister and its entire government resigned on Wednesday as part of sweeping constitutional changes that could see President Vladimir Putin extend his hold on power.

In his annual state-of-the-nation speech, Putin said he favored changing the constitution to hand the State Duma, the lower house of Parliament, the power to choose Russia's prime minister and other key positions.

"Of course these are very serious changes to the political system," Putin said, adding that he thought Parliament and civil society was ready for the changes.

"It would increase the role and significance of the country's Parliament ... of parliamentary parties, and the independence and responsibility of the prime minister."

He proposed a nationwide vote on the changes.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, a longtime trusted ally of Putin’s, said on Wednesday that the government he heads was resigning to give the president room to carry out changes he wants to make to the constitution.

Medvedev made the announcement on state TV, sitting next to Putin who thanked Medvedev for his work.

Russian state media TASS agency said Putin has instructed the government to perform its duties until the new cabinet is formed.

Putin, who has been in power for nearly two decades as either president or prime minister, was due to finish his fourth presidential term in 2024, after which the constitution would bar him from immediately running for president again.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/r...akeup-n1116176

[Harry Lime]

'Hi! I'm a dictator!'

[SebC]

Ulterior motives notwithstanding, it sounds to me like he's proposing to change from the American system to the UK/(Canadian) one. And I would say that ours is better.

[CaptainCrunch]

that was my first impression on reading it.



Its not like he's appointing a council of buddies to create succession plans.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

that was my first impression on reading it.



Its not like he's appointing a council of buddies to create succession plans.

Yet

[MolsonInBothHands]

Can you imagine if Trump could implement constutional changes so easily?
1984

[puckedoff]

Relax guys, there will be a nationwide vote on the issue. Its a democratic solution.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Relax guys, there will be a nationwide vote on the issue. Its a democratic solution.

Well... just take a look at the landslide results for the last few Russian elections and rampant vote stuffing to see how well that will work

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Relax guys, there will be a nationwide vote on the issue. Its a democratic solution.

I'm sure it will be a close one, you know 95% in favour, a real nail biter.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I'm sure it will be a close one, you know 95% in favour, a real nail biter.

Live webcams showing tumbleweeds in the street, while votes pour in.

[Salt Water Cowboy #10]

This has to do with being able to destroy all of the past governments illegal activity. Burn all the old files. No election rigging going on over here!

Seriously I don’t quite understand. Why would Putin do this?

[Locke]

Oh those wacky Russians....they're always up to something.

When are they renaming Volgograd to Putingrad?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Salt Water Cowboy #10

This has to do with being able to destroy all of the past governments illegal activity. Burn all the old files. No election rigging going on over here!

Seriously I don’t quite understand. Why would Putin do this?

Well...hes quite clearly up to something, say what you will about Putin he's very goal-oriented, even if that goal is occasionally just to keep people guessing.

The obvious answer would be that its some kind of ploy to allow him to stay in power indefinitely.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by SebC

Ulterior motives notwithstanding, it sounds to me like he's proposing to change from the American system to the UK/(Canadian) one. And I would say that ours is better.

You really think so? Our system is so outdated and a relic or monarchical dictatorship. I can see why Putin would like it though.

At its heart, I think the republic structure is more democratic.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

You really think so? Our system is so outdated and a relic or monarchical dictatorship. I can see why Putin would like it though.

At its heart, I think the republic structure is more democratic.

A state can be a republic and still have the chief executive be elected by and accountable to its parliament. We could be a republic and elect our governor general, and it wouldn't fundamentally change our system.

Our system isn't perfect but I think it's significantly better than the US one, where the president and legislature can have completely different agendas and gridlock occurs.

[activeStick]

Is this so he can stay in power once his term is done? Does Russia have term limits?

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Is this so he can stay in power once his term is done? Does Russia have term limits?

That seems to be the idea. Russian President can't serve more than two consecutive 6 year terms, which is why he served as prime minister between his second and third terms as president.

Best guess out there so far is this move is to increase the power the prime minister has while weakening the presidency. Install another puppet president (Medvedev?) next election and take the role of prime minister himself again. Similiar to what's his name in Kazakhstan making himself 'security council chairman' for life with power over the president.

Likely looking to avoid the unrest like what happened when he went for his third term as president. He's playing the long game here now with his term not up for a few years still, so has time to try and take it slow and set himself up without pissing off the public as much. In theory at least

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Is this so he can stay in power once his term is done? Does Russia have term limits?

President is limited to two consecutive 6 year terms however there is no limit to the number of total terms they may serve. Putin served 2 terms initially, then ran a puppet (Dmitry Medvedev) to serve a President for a term while Putin got himself elected PM. Then ran again and is now into his second term on his second go around.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by MolsonInBothHands

Can you imagine if Trump could implement constutional changes so easily?
1984

Sadly, yes I could imagine that.
And not just Trump in particular, but I think we don't realize how easily a country can fall into dictatorship and it's not impossible in the West.
I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Trump takes notes on these things and would try something similar.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Sadly, yes I could imagine that.
And not just Trump in particular, but I think we don't realize how easily a country can fall into dictatorship and it's not impossible in the West.
I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Trump takes notes on these things and would try something similar.

Trump isn’t the scary guy. It’s the actual competent guy that follows him. Trumps braking of Norms without consequence has done far more damage then anything he’s actually done.