<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin today proposed a referendum to give the Parliament more powers to choose the prime minister in a speech, a move which could have far-reaching consequences for the country's future.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-putin-inaugurates-rail-route-to-annexed-crimea-269804">Also Read:&nbsp;Russian President Putin inaugurates rail route to annexed Crimea</a></p>

<p>"I consider it necessary to conduct a vote by the country's citizens on an entire package of proposed amendments to the country's constitution," Putin said, adding, "We will be able to build a strong prosperous Russia only on the basis of respect for public opinion."</p>

<p>"Together we will certainly change life for the better," he added.</p>

<p>Putin, 67, is set to step down as president in 2024 with Russia set for parliamentary elections in 2021. Under the Russian constitution, a person cannot serve more than two successive presidential terms.</p>

<p>"Russia must remain a strong presidential republic," Putin said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-putin-has-lied-about-poland-on-numerous-occasions-pm-mateusz-morawiecki-271197">Read More: President Putin has lied about Poland on numerous occasions, says PM Mateusz Morawiecki</a><br />
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In December, during a marathon press conference, the Russian president had dropped broad hints that he might not seek another term in 2024.</p>

<p>"Your humble servant served two successive terms and then stepped down and had the constitutional right to return to the post of president," he said, adding, "but some of our political scientists and activists do not like this and maybe this could be removed, possibly."</p>

<p>“One thing that could be changed about these (presidential) terms is removing the clause about 'successive' (terms)," Putin said.</p>

<p>The Russian presidency was handed to Putin by Boris Yeltsin in 1999, the Russian leader served as president from 2000 to 2008 and then as premier from 2000 to 2012 and then returned as president in 2019.</p>


Russian President Vladimir Putin today proposed a referendum to give the Parliament more powers to choose the prime minister in a speech, a move which could have far-reaching consequences for the country's future.

Russian President Vladimir Putin today proposed a referendum to give the Parliament more powers to choose the prime minister in a speech, a move which could have far-reaching consequences for the country's future. Also Read: Russian President Putin inaugurates rail route to annexed Crimea "I consider it necessary to conduct a vote by the country's citizens on an entire package of proposed amendments to the country's constitution," Putin said, adding, "We will be able to build a strong prosperous Russia only on the basis of respect for public opinion." "Together we will certainly change life for the better," he added. Putin, 67, is set to step down as president in 2024 with Russia set for parliamentary elections in 2021. Under the Russian constitution, a person cannot serve more than two successive presidential terms. "Russia must remain a strong presidential republic," Putin said. Read More: President Putin has lied about Poland on numerous occasions, says PM Mateusz Morawiecki In December, during a marathon press conference, the Russian president had dropped broad hints that he might not seek another term in 2024. "Your humble servant served two successive terms and then stepped down and had the constitutional right to return to the post of president," he said, adding, "but some of our political scientists and activists do not like this and maybe this could be removed, possibly." “One thing that could be changed about these (presidential) terms is removing the clause about 'successive' (terms)," Putin said. The Russian presidency was handed to Putin by Boris Yeltsin in 1999, the Russian leader served as president from 2000 to 2008 and then as premier from 2000 to 2012 and then returned as president in 2019.

Now, Putin proposes referendum to boost Russian parliament's powers

US state department spokesman, John Kirby, on Friday said the&nbsp;United States &quot;does not recognise the legitimacy&quot; of Russian Parliamentary elections in Crimea.&nbsp;<br />
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While addressing his daily conference, Kirby said: &quot;The United States does not recognise the legitimacy, and will not recognise the outcome of the Russian Duma elections planned for Russian-occupied Crimea on September 18th.&quot;<br />
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He maintained that US position concerning Crimea was clear, it is a part of Ukraine and &quot;Crimea-related sanctions against Russia will remain until Russia returns control of Crimea to Ukraine.&quot;<br />
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Kirby also expressed concern over human rights violations taking place, &quot;including the status of the ethnic Tatar community and widespread reports of missing persons and human rights abuses.&quot;<br />
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<h5>Despite Ukraine&#39;s opposition, Russia is holding the elections in Crimea, where for the first time in two-and-a-half years, local residents are getting ready to cast their votes on Sunday.</h5>
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<strong>Ukraine reacts</strong><br />
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Ukraine&#39;s foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin reiterated that the elections in Crimea were &quot;absolutely unacceptable.&quot;<br />
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&quot;These elections are completely illegitimate. They are illegitimate in the political sense but they are also illegitimate in the purely legal sense and actually it&#39;s the Russian side now (that) opened up a kind of Pandora box because for me it puts a question mark on the whole issue of democratic legitimacy for the Russian Parliament,&quot; Reuters quoted him as saying.&nbsp;<br />
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Despite Ukraine&#39;s opposition, Russia is holding the elections in Crimea, where for the first time in two-and-a-half years, local residents are getting ready to cast their votes on Sunday, according to media reports.&nbsp;<br />
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Ukraine, along with Western countries has accused Russia of providing military support to Eastern Ukrainian insurgency after Russia annexed Crimea.&nbsp;<br />
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However, Russia denied the charges and said it played no direct role in the conflict.&nbsp;<br />
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(WION with inputs from agencies)<br />
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He maintained that US position concerning Crimea was clear that it is a part of Ukraine

US state department spokesman, John Kirby, on Friday said the United States "does not recognise the legitimacy" of Russian Parliamentary elections in Crimea. While addressing his daily conference, Kirby said: "The United States does not recognise the legitimacy, and will not recognise the outcome of the Russian Duma elections planned for Russian-occupied Crimea on September 18th." He maintained that US position concerning Crimea was clear, it is a part of Ukraine and "Crimea-related sanctions against Russia will remain until Russia returns control of Crimea to Ukraine." Kirby also expressed concern over human rights violations taking place, "including the status of the ethnic Tatar community and widespread reports of missing persons and human rights abuses." Despite Ukraine's opposition, Russia is holding the elections in Crimea, where for the first time in two-and-a-half years, local residents are getting ready to cast their votes on Sunday. Ukraine reacts Ukraine's foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin reiterated that the elections in Crimea were "absolutely unacceptable." "These elections are completely illegitimate. They are illegitimate in the political sense but they are also illegitimate in the purely legal sense and actually it's the Russian side now (that) opened up a kind of Pandora box because for me it puts a question mark on the whole issue of democratic legitimacy for the Russian Parliament," Reuters quoted him as saying. Despite Ukraine's opposition, Russia is holding the elections in Crimea, where for the first time in two-and-a-half years, local residents are getting ready to cast their votes on Sunday, according to media reports. Ukraine, along with Western countries has accused Russia of providing military support to Eastern Ukrainian insurgency after Russia annexed Crimea. However, Russia denied the charges and said it played no direct role in the conflict. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US: Will not recognise legitimacy of Russian polls in Crimea

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Now, Putin proposes referendum to boost Russian parliament's powers

US: Will not recognise legitimacy of Russian polls in Crimea