Russian Duma formally approves Putin’s constitutional amendments

MOSCOW – The Russian Duma approved the constitutional proposals put forward by current Russian President Vladimir Putin that would allow him to remain in power for at least another 10 years. The Duma, which consists of 450 members, voted as follows:

• 383 voted in favor
• 43 abstained
• 24 were absent
• none voted against

Contrary to Putin’s words that he does intent to remain the President of Russia indefinitely, many political analysts argue these amendments will have a negative impact on the course of the Russia’s democratic processes which have been slowly eroded by Putin and his ruling clique since his first election in 2000.

In order to boost turnout in the referendum, Putin has proposed several socially conservative measures, including a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.