- Title: Opinions split after Russia's constitutional vote
- Date: 2nd July 2020
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JULY 2, 2020) (REUTERS) SPASSKAYA TOWER OF KREMLIN RED SQUARE ST. BASIL'S CATHEDRAL VARIOUS OF KREMLIN VARIOUS OF MANEZHNAYA SQUARE NEAR KREMLIN (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN RESIDENT, NIKOLAI, SAYING: "A part of the amendments was not included, which are of interest, for example, progressive taxation system and some others. But largely everything is good." HISTORY MUSEUM (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN RESIDENT, KSENIA, SAYING: "I think no one of my friends took part in the vote, I think it is all fake (the result). No one voted... Well, half of the people are against it, others are not. Everyone understands that they will vote for us anyway, what's the point in attending?" HISTORY MUSEUM ST. BASIL'S CATHEDRAL SEEN THROUGH GATE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN RESIDENT, GRIGORY, SAYING: "I think the only part I don't like is the reset of the presidential terms' tally (for Putin). A so-called 'reset', because it still implies election, and at the election he may win or lose, if he loses - another person will win. There will be alternative figures. It is like in Ukraine - the president took part in the race and a comedian won. So there is nothing scary about these results." HISTORY MUSEUM MONUMENT TO SOVIET MARSHAL GEORGY ZHUKOV (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN RESIDENT, ANASTASIA, SAYING: "I don't trust this data of course, it's not true that 80 percent support it. All my friends voted 'no'." FOUNTAIN (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN RESIDENT, GALINA, SAYING: "To be honest I don't think about it. They (authorities) passed the constitution and did not ask for our opinion." PEOPLE IN STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN RESIDENT, ASKER, SAYING: "In the first place, 80 percent is too much, so I don't trust it. All the people I know voted against that. So I don't trust this number." (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN RESIDENT, EVGENY, SAYING: "My attitude to the vote is very positive. I voted for the amendments to the constitution of the Russian Federation." TRAFFIC NEAR RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT CARS IN STREET
- Embargoed: 16th July 2020 10:23
- Keywords: Putin Russia constitution poll reactions vote voxes
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA001CL4A5VR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Russians differed in their views on the constitutional vote, that handed President Vladimir Putin the right to stay in power until 2036, some praising the leader and some doubting the results of the vote.
The Kremlin on Thursday hailed as a triumph the result of a nation-wide vote, saying it was a testament to public trust in him.
Official results published on Thursday, after 100% of ballots had been counted, showed that nearly 78% of voters had approved constitutional changes allowing Putin to run for two more six-year terms after his current one ends in 2024.
Critics have said the vote was flawed by serious irregularities, something the authorities deny.
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