The Kremlin considers the results of the vote on amendments to the Constitution a triumph.
"Clearly [the Kremlin] considers [the results of voting on amendments to the Constitution] a triumph. In fact, a triumphant referendum on confidence in the President [of the Russian Federation Vladimir] Putin took place de facto," Dmitry Peskov, the President's Press Secretary, told reporters on Thursday.
In his opinion, " it was easy to predict high interest in the topic of amendments, this was due to public activity in the process of formulating amendments, initiating amendments." "But, of course, it was very difficult to predict such a high turnout and the highest level of support, which has already been fixed," the Kremlin representative admitted.
Speaking about the plan to implement the changes that the Russians voted for, the President's Press Secretary noted that "this is a question of the future of the country, the immediate future of the country." He believes that it is impossible to name an exact date when the Russians will feel the changes. "Now that the Russians have given such support to all initiatives to change the Constitution, of course, this will become the foundation for a better future for our country," Peskov is sure.
He did not give an answer to the question of which reforms would begin first. "Of course, this will require legislative initiatives, so there is work ahead," he explained.
Congratulations of the leaders
Peskov also said that Putin on Thursday held a number of telephone conversations with foreign leaders, during which he was congratulated on the successful results of the vote. "Today, the President has very heavy traffic of international telephone conversations," the Press Secretary said.
Peskov noted that such a contact was made with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "And there were separate phone conversations with the presidents of Uzbekistan [Shavkat Mirziyoyev], Kazakhstan [Kassym-Jomart Tokayev], Tajikistan [Emomali Rahmon] and Azerbaijan [Ilham Aliyev]," Peskov said. According to him, "first of all, of course, we were talking about congratulating Vladimir Putin on the successful vote that ended yesterday."
According to the Kremlin's press service, the telephone conversations were initiated by foreign leaders. "The leaders of the CIS countries warmly congratulated Vladimir Putin on the success of the all-Russian vote on approving changes to the Constitution of the Russian Federation. It was noted that its results strongly demonstrated the broad public support for the course of socio-economic development of the country and the strengthening of the Russian state. Wishes for the well-being and prosperity of the Russian people were expressed," the press service of the Russian President said in a statement.
The Kremlin noted that during Putin's conversations with colleagues in the CIS, they also touched on topical issues of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, "including cooperation in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus infection."
The CEC on Friday plans to approve the results of the all-Russian vote on amendments to the Constitution, which ended on July 1. According to the CEC, after processing all ballots, the amendments to the Constitution were supported by 77.92% of those the voters, and 21.27% were against. As reported earlier by the Chairman of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova, the overall turnout at the vote was 65%.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation