The Constitution will be deprived of its inviolability

The initiative of Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov to discuss in the regions “in an informal setting” the possibility of changing the Constitution (in favor of a third term for Vladimir Putin or extending the presidential term to 5-7 years) was met with skepticism in the city parliament. The proposal of the “Socialist Revolutionaries” was discussed by the council of factions last Monday - but in the end there will be no “general meeting” of deputies where they would talk about a “third term” in a free discussion. Actually, even without discussion, the balance of power is already clear – mainly only the “Socialist Revolutionaries” are in favor.
“We discussed this issue for half a minute at the faction, three minutes at the city committee, and 45 minutes at the faction council,” says Vladimir Fedorov, leader of the Communist Party faction. – Our opinion is simple: no third term! We have always thought so, and have not changed our opinion. By the way, we are the only ones who voted against Mironov when he was confirmed as a representative of the Legislative Assembly in the Federation Council.”
“Our faction discussed this issue, but did not come to a consensus,” says Vyacheslav Makarov, head of the United Russia faction. – Deputies have different points of view: some believe that a third term is possible, others believe that this should not be done under any circumstances, especially since President Vladimir Putin clearly spoke out against changing the Constitution and stated that a third term would not will do. By the way, this discussion in our faction and the presence of different opinions refute the accusation of complete unanimity, which we hear all the time from our political opponents. Besides, we don’t understand what Sergei Mikhailovich actually wants? Just get together and talk about the problem of the third term? But the time of deputies is too valuable to have general conversations. If he believes that it is necessary to change the Constitution, let him come up with a legislative initiative, then there will be something to officially discuss. But he doesn't bring it in. Why - we don’t know..."
The third faction, the Liberal Democratic Party, declares that they are generally against any informal discussions. And in general, since Mironov is a representative of the Legislative Assembly, he should consult with the city parliament before putting forward such initiatives.
As for the Social Revolutionaries themselves, on Tuesday they held a long discussion at a meeting of their faction and supported Mironov. Oleg Nilov stated that the electoral legislation was redrawn so many times “to suit itself” (including when the term of office of deputies was increased and the elections of governors were abolished) that he does not understand why the Constitution is “sacred and cannot be revised.” According to Zoya Zaushnikova, the overwhelming majority of voters are for the third term of the current president, and therefore they “gladly” support Mironov. Anatoly Kosterev is against three presidential terms, since it “will hurt the voter’s ears,” but he believes that it is necessary to have “two seven-year terms,” which will help maintain stability in the country...
In general, the discussion - one way or another - took place, although not general, but “separate”. Oleg Nilov sees this as a “clear victory” for his party, since, according to him, United Russia was forced to join in the discussion of their proposal, and with any result, the Social Revolutionaries are the winner. “If United Russia supported us, it turns out that they agreed with our initiative. If they didn’t support it, it turns out that they are against the opinion of the majority of voters who are in favor of Vladimir Putin remaining for a third term,” Nilov believes.

Vladimir MAKSIMOV

PS On Tuesday, the leaders of the St. Petersburg branches of the People's Party and SEPR, Vitaly Kalinin and Alexander Potekhin, announced the impending merger of their parties with the Socialist-Revolutionaries.
A SEPR congress is scheduled for May 12, which will announce the party’s self-dissolution and joining A Just Russia, whose leader, according to Potekhin, began increasingly mentioning the word “socialism” precisely in connection with negotiations with the SEPR. The People's Party has already announced its dissolution, and its members are beginning to join the SR. This, according to the Social Revolutionaries, will help them bypass United Russia in December.
However, the unification process should not be overestimated: neither the “populists” nor the SEPR have been practically visible in the city in recent years, and it is quite difficult to seriously talk about their significant support among the townspeople.