11 June 2004 15:36
Angry Russian MPs plan to challenge new referendum law at Constitutional Court
Moscow, 11 June: A group of parliamentarians intend to challenge the constitutionality of the adoption of the
presidential bill "On referendums in the Russian Federation" at the Constitutional Court, an independent
member of the State Duma, Vladimir Ryzhkov, said on Friday [11 June].
The State Duma adopted this bill on Friday, passing both its second and third readings at one go. In doing so, it
rejected virtually all amendments, including fundamental ones, put forward by the left-wing opposition and independent
deputies.
In this connection Ryzhkov told journalists that the deputies intended to contest the legality of the adoption of
this law "on 15-odd grounds".
He said he would be gathering signatures from parliamentarians who do not agree with the way this law was adopted by
the State Duma. At least 90 signatures will have to be collected in order to submit documents to the Constitutional
Court.
"This law was rushed through in just 10 days, like moonshine produced by an illegal distillery," Ryzhkov
said.
He recalled that the first reading of the bill was held on 2 June. In other words, work on it was effectively
concluded in a single week. "Dozens of amendments, mainly ones put forward by the Communists, just got lost,"
the MP claims.
"We have not had a referendum (in the country) for 10 years, and there won't be another one for 100,"
Ryzhkov said, explaining that the new law makes the procedure extremely complicated, creating further bureaucratic
hurdles for people who want to initiate a referendum.
Ryzhkov regards the adopted law as unconstitutional.
He pointed out that while the new law effectively deprives the people of the opportunity to initiate and hold a
referendum, the president, by contrast, gains this right. What's more, he does not even have to gather 2m
signatures, as envisaged by the law, Ryzhkov said.
[Interfax news agency] |
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