- Title: Protesters in St Petersburg demonstrate against changes to Russia's Constitution
- Date: 1st July 2020
- Summary: ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (JULY 1, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CHANTING (Russian): "THE BEST AMENDMENT WOULD BE PUTIN'S RESIGNATION" STICKERS ON PROTESTER'S COAT READING (Russian): "TSAR! NO. HIRED MANAGER!" / "I VOTE AGAINST THE AMENDMENTS" VARIOUS OF PROTESTER HOLDING COPY OF RUSSIAN CONSTITUTION WITH PAPER CLIPPED TO IT READING (Russian): "NO TO THE AMENDMENTS! NO TO THE RESET (OF PUTIN'S TERM TALLY)" VARIOUS OF WOMAN WATCHING HOLDING COPY OF RUSSIAN CONSTITUTION (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PROTESTER, NO NAME GIVEN, SAYING: "The main thing I'm against is Putin and his henchmen staying in power in Russia forever. I am also indignant about this disgrace that's taking place with the amendments to the constitution - the violation of international rights and what's happening with the country." VARIOUS OF PROTESTER HOLDING SIGN READING (Russian): "THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED NOT THE CONSTITUTION." PROTESTERS BLOCKING WAY FOR STREET CLEANING VEHICLE PROTESTER TRYING TO ENTER VEHICLE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PROTESTER, NO NAME GIVEN, SAYING: "This is how our constitutional rights are protected. The new constitution will be even better, we all liked it anyway, dear friends, now these, I can't say who, because there are a lot of journalists, these personalities are pouring water on people." VARIOUS OF PROTESTER RESTING ON VEHICLE VARIOUS OF POLICE OFFICERS ESCORTING VEHICLE THROUGH CROWD VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING CROSS AND COPY OF CONSTITUTION VARIOUS OF POLICE OFFICERS STANDING ON SQUARE MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JULY 1, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DISPLAY DEPICTING POLLING CENTRE POSTER READING (Russian): "RUSSIA-WIDE VOTE 1 JULY 2020. OUR COUNTRY, OUR CONSTITUTION, OUR DECISION." VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS WORKING IN CENTRAL ELECTION COMMITTEE (CEC) PRESS CENTRE
- Embargoed: 15th July 2020 17:07
- Keywords: Russian Consitution Russian president St Petersburg Vladimir Putin opposition protests vote
- Location: ST PETERSBURG AND MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: ST PETERSBURG AND MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA001CKZA1C7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Demonstrators gathered on St Petersburg's Palace Square on Wednesday (July 1) to protest changes to the Russian Constitution.
Many held copies of the Russian Constitution, while some chanted slogans and held placards.
"I'm against is Putin and his henchmen staying in power in Russia forever," one protester, who declined to give his name, said.
The protesters appeared to block a street cleaning vehicle from driving through the square, which then had to be escorted by police.
Partial results, announced five hours before polls closed, indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin who has ruled Russia for more than two decades as president or prime minister will win the right to run for two more terms. That means he could remain president for 16 more years.
Putin has said he has yet to decide on his future. Critics say they are sure he will run again, but some analysts say he may want to keep his options open to avoid becoming a lame duck.
Golos, a non-governmental organization that monitors elections, has said it will not be able to confirm the outcome of the vote as legitimate.
Ella Pamfilova, head of Russia's Central Election Commission, said on Wednesday that no serious violations in the voting process had occurred.
(Production: Dmitry Vasilyev, Peter Scott) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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