Putin calls for wider parliament authority, presidential republic

MOSCOW, Jan 15 (PRIME) – Powers of Russian parliament should be widened, including the right to appoint the government and the prime minister, President Vladimir Putin told the Federal Assembly, both chambers of parliament, on Wednesday, adding that the country will remain a presidential republic.

“Practically all factions represented in the State Duma (lower chamber) -- and you know that we regularly meet with their leaders -- believe that the Federal Assembly is ready to take on a greater responsibility for forming the government,” he said.

“Taking on a greater responsibility for forming the government means taking on a greater responsibility for the policy which the government carries out. I fully agree with this.”

Parliament should not only approve, but appoint the prime minister, he said. Currently the president receives parliament consent for the candidacy of a prime minister and appoints him, his deputies and all the ministers.

“I suggest changing the order and entrust the State Duma with not just approval with the candidate, but appointment of a candidate for the position of the Russian Federation government head. Later he should present all deputy prime ministers and federal ministers. At that, the president must appoint them, which means he will not have the power to reject the candidacies approved by parliament.”

He said that this is a very serious political change.

“This will increase the role and the authority of parliament, the role and the authority of the Duma, parliamentary factions, independence and responsibility of the head of the government and all cabinet ministers. Interaction between the representative and executive branches will become more effective and informative,” he said.

However, Russia must remain a presidential republic.

“The president must of course retain the right to set the priorities and tasks of the government as well as the right to fire the head of the government, his deputies and the federal ministers if they fail with their responsibilities or lose confidence,” he said.

“I am sure that our country with its huge territory, a complicated ethnic structure, diverse cultural and historical traditions cannot develop normally, or even exist in the form of a parliamentary republic. Russia must remain a strong parliamentary republic.”

The president also offered to set stricter requirements to the candidates for presidency, stipulating that they must not ever have foreign citizenship or a residence permit and live in Russia for at least 25 years.

Putin suggested Russians vote on the changes. “I see it necessary to hold a citizen poll on the entire set of the proposed amendments to the constitution of the Russian Federation… The opinion of the people, of the citizens as a bearer of sovereignty and the key source of power must be key,” he said.

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