The 20% corresponds roughly to the electoral strength of the CPRF over the past decade or so, as the second largest party in the country after United Russia. About two weeks before the elections got underway, Party leader Gennady Zyuganov was asked by a journalist of Russian state television what he would be advising his followers to do. Without hesitation, Zyuganov said to vote against the amendments. And he went on to say that if the Referendum passed, then Putin would enjoy powers greater than the pharaohs! Given the vast promotional campaign going on in favor of the Referendum, including television spots by TV celebrities, musicians, artists and scientists, this open rejection of the Referendum by Zyuganov was very courageous. Not that it won him any plaudits from our media for defending democracy.
I close this essay with the observation that Vladimir Putin's victory in the Referendum is in any case illusory. It attests to his inability over 20 years in power to provide a secure succession when he passes from the scene.
Yes, in principle Mr. Putin can now stand for re-election in 2024 and in 2030. However, as the old folk saying has it: Man proposes and God disposes. There are no assurances that Mr. Putin will stay in good health and good mental acuity into his seventies and eighties. And if he should leave the scene abruptly, for one reason or another, there is presently after these Constitutional amendments no clear path of succession that would give the country the stability that Mr. Putin places above all in his value system.
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