Kremlin Opens Door to Changing Constitution as Succession Looms

  • Duma speaker wants stronger parliament to fix power imbalance
  • Officials seeking way to keep Putin in power once term ends
How Putin Became the Symbol of Russian Power
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The Kremlin raised the possibility of changing Russia’s Constitution after a top lawmaker proposed bolstering parliament’s powers, in a move that could help to extend President Vladimir Putin’s rule.

The idea of constitutional amendments, including allowing parliament a say in forming the government, received “a widespread response” and are “a matter for discussion,” Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on a conference call Wednesday.