Putin says reforms are not intended to extend his powers

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that he proposed amendments to the constitution not to extend his grip on power but to improve Russia´s political system.

Putin unleashed a political storm on January 15, proposing an overhaul of the Russian constitution that triggered the resignation of the unpopular prime minister Dmitry Medvedev and his government.

The proposals — that took Russians and most of the establishment by surprise — stirred speculation that Putin, 67, was manoeuvring to extend his hold on power after his fourth Kremlin term expires in 2024.

“During my work as president and prime minister it´s become obvious to me that some things don´t function as they should,” Putin said at a college in the city of Cherepovets, north of Moscow.

“Very often there arise issues in health care, (and) education, something that should be done is not happening at the municipal level,” he added.“This is why I have proposed this and not to extend my powers.”

The proposals foresee tightening control over local authorities and strengthening the role of an advisory body called the State Council as well as the presidency itself.Kremlin critics have been unanimous in their hostility to the reform, with opposition leader Alexei Navalny saying Putin wants to make himself “leader for life”.

Last month Russian parliament´s lower house unanimously approved the constitutional reform bill, after less than two hours of debate.Levada Centre, an independent pollster, said last week that 47 percent of Russians believe the amendments served Putin´s interests, while 44 percent said the changes were meant to improve the political system.

Putin on Tuesday insisted the public would have the final say and be able to either support or reject the legislation during a plebiscite.A group set up to help draft constitutional amendments has been reviewing a number of proposals including a suggestion to mention God in the country´s basic law as well as to change the title “president” to “Supreme Leader.”