11 June 2004 16:24
New Russian law makes it impossible to dismiss president by referendum
The State Duma adopted the presidential law on referendums today, passing both the second and third - and final -
readings at one go. The new law introduces additional requirements for the initiating of a referendum. The sponsoring
group - which had to be no larger than 100 people before - must now have at least 45 regional subgroups. Each of the
latter must include at least 100 local residents. No less than 2m signatures will now have to be gathered to hold a
referendum. The document stipulates that all decisions adopted at a referendum will be binding. Changes to the status of
a constituent part of the federation and early termination or extension of the term of office of the Russian president
or the State Duma cannot be put to a referendum. Issues relating to the federal budget, Russia's financial
liabilities, payment of federal taxes and levies or exemption from them cannot be the subject of a nationwide referendum
either.
[Radio Russia] |
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