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Coronavirus delays Russian vote on Putin staying in power Coronavirus delays Russian vote on Putin staying in power
(about 1 hour later)
Russian president says new date will be set later as coronavirus emergency measures rolled outRussian president says new date will be set later as coronavirus emergency measures rolled out
Russian president Vladimir Putin has delayed a public vote on constitutional amendments that will allow him to stay in power until 2036. Vladimir Putin has delayed a public vote on constitutional amendments that could allow him to stay in power until 2036 due to the coronavirus outbreak in Russia.
The plebiscite, which was seen as an important public endorsement of Putin’s ability to remain in power after his current term ends in 2024, was scheduled for 22 April but will be delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak. A new date will be set later, Putin said during a nationwide address. The vote does not have any legal impact and the constitutional amendments have already been accepted into law. The plebiscite, seen as an important test of support for Putin’s aim to remain in power after his current term ends in 2024, had been scheduled for 22 April.
The announcement came as the Russian president rolled out a series of emergency measures to limit the health and economic impact of the spread of the virus in Russia. While asking Russians to stay home, the Russian president stopped short of issuing a mandatory quarantine or state of emergency. Speaking on television, Putin announced a nationwide week-long holiday in order to slow the spread. The holiday would extend from 28 March until 5 April, he said. Workers across the country would be guaranteed to receive their salaries, he added. Putin said a new date would be set later. The vote does not have any legal impact and the constitutional amendments have already been accepted into law.
He also announced a series of economic initiatives – debt relief for those diagnosed with coronavirus, support for the unemployed, additional benefits for families with small children, a tax holiday for small businesses and a moratorium on some bankruptcies. In a direct appeal to Russians, Putin said: “Don’t think this can’t happen to me. It can happen to anyone.” He told the country to stay home. Putin also announced a series of emergency measures to limit the health and economic impact of the spread of the virus in Russia. He asked people to stay at home, but he stopped short of issuing a mandatory quarantine or state of emergency.
Under current law, Putin would not be able to run for president again in 2024 because of term limits. A new measure would reset his term count, allowing him to run for two more six-year terms if he chooses. He announced a nationwide week-long holiday to run from Saturday, 28 March, until 5 April. Workers across the country would be guaranteed to receive their salaries, he said.
The 67-year-old Russian leader has been in power since 2000, longer than any other of the country’s rulers since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.The address came one day after a senior Russian official told Putin that government tallies underestimated the number of coronavirus victims in the country and that the Kremlin needed to take urgent measures to address the virus’ spread before it turned into a crisis. Putin also promised debt relief for people diagnosed with coronavirus, support for unemployed people, additional benefits for families with small children, a tax holiday for small businesses and a moratorium on some bankruptcies.
Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, told Putin on Tuesday that the rate of coronavirus “growth is high; a serious situation is developing”, and warned that the healthcare system may be overwhelmed at the virus’ peak. In a direct appeal to Russians, Putin said: “Don’t think ‘this can’t happen to me’. It can happen to anyone.”
Under previous law, Putin would not be able to run for president again in 2024 because of term limits. The new measure would reset his term count, allowing him to run for two more six-year terms if he chooses.
The 67-year-old has been in power since 2000, longer than any other of the country’s rulers since the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
On Tuesday Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, told Putin that government tallies underestimated the number of coronavirus victims in the country and that the Kremlin needed to take urgent steps to address the spread of the virus before it turned into a crisis.
Sobyanin said the rate of coronavirus growth was high, “a serious situation is developing” and the healthcare system may be overwhelmed at the virus’s peak.
The public warning signalled a pivot in the Kremlin’s approach to the disease. Putin donned a bright yellow protective suit to visit the country’s main coronavirus hospital later that day and then addressed the nation on Wednesday.The public warning signalled a pivot in the Kremlin’s approach to the disease. Putin donned a bright yellow protective suit to visit the country’s main coronavirus hospital later that day and then addressed the nation on Wednesday.
Previously, Russian officials had warned the country not to blow the virus’s effects out of proportion and to avoid panic. Russian testing methods and the official numbers of infected had been treated with scepticism, especially after it was revealed that rates of pneumonia for Moscow had risen by more than 35% year-on-year, indicating that coronavirus cases may have been misidentified as other diseases. Previously, Russian officials had urged people to avoid panic. Russian testing methods and the official numbers of infected had been treated with scepticism, especially after it was revealed that rates of pneumonia for Moscow had risen by more than 35% year on year, indicating that coronavirus cases may have been misidentified.
Official statistics have now revealed a significant acceleration in the spread of coronavirus in Russia. A record 163 new cases was confirmed by officials on Wednesday, bringing the country’s total to 658 cases. Most of the new infections were identified in Moscow, which posted a jump of 120, or 43%, overnight. One death has been attributed to the disease. Official statistics have now revealed a significant acceleration in the spread of coronavirus in Russia. A record 163 new cases were reported on Wednesday, bringing the country’s total to 658. Most of the new infections, 120, were identified in Moscow. One death has been attributed to the disease.
Russia’s parliament said on Wednesday that it would review legislation that could put quarantine breakers in jail for a period of three to seven years. Currently, those who return from abroad or exhibit symptoms of sickness are required to self-isolate for 14 days.Russia’s parliament said on Wednesday that it would review legislation that could put quarantine breakers in jail for a period of three to seven years. Currently, those who return from abroad or exhibit symptoms of sickness are required to self-isolate for 14 days.
And those found guilty of intentionally infecting others could even face terrorism charges, a Russian lawmaker said. Anyone found guilty of intentionally infecting others could even face terrorism charges, a Russian lawmaker said. “In the event of intentional causing of one or more deaths as a result of the deliberate violation of sanitary and epidemiological regulations, irrespective of the intentions, such an action will be defined as terrorism, hooliganism or sabotage,” Pavel Krasheninnikov said.
“In the event of intentional causing of one or more deaths as a result of the deliberate violation of sanitary and epidemiological regulations, irrespective of the intentions, such an action will be defined as terrorism, hooliganism or sabotage,” Russian lawmaker Pavel Krasheninnikov told reporters.