Novaya Gazeta published a manifesto “Against the constitutional coup and usurpation of power”

Novaya Gazeta published a "Manifesto of the Citizens of Russia" directed "against the constitutional coup and the usurpation of power."

“Today we, the citizens of the Russian Federation, declare that a constitutional coup is taking place in the country before our very eyes. We are sure that the goal of this coup is to keep Vladimir Putin and his corrupt regime in power for life. For this, a special operation was invented to illegally rewrite the Constitution, ”the manifesto says.

It notes that the amendments to the Constitution are made in a hurry, "with rhetorical and legal manipulations, without real public discussion." “Instead of the Constitutional Assembly, we are offered an imitation working group with the participation of non-professionals. Instead of a referendum, there is an illegitimate ‘all-Russian vote’,” the appeal says.

“We, the citizens of Russia, who signed this manifesto, call on all those who are not ready to accept the usurpation of power by Vladimir Putin to join our statement and take part in a mass public campaign,” the manifesto says. At the moment, it has been signed by 20 people, including journalist and municipal deputy Ilya Azar, economist Sergei Guriev, and politician Yulia Galyamina. Anyone can subscribe to the manifesto.

We are aware that the very procedure for voting on amendments to the Constitution is not open and dishonest. But silence will be interpreted as consent. If such a vote is scheduled, we call on everyone to come and say NO to the constitutional coup and usurpation of power.

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• Vladimir Putin on January 15 announced the reform of the Constitution. In particular, he proposed toughening the requirements for Russian presidential candidates, limiting the priority of international law, and strengthening the role of the State Council.
• Five days later, the draft law on amendments to the Constitution was submitted to the State Duma, and eight days later it was adopted in the first reading.
• Many political analysts have seen the constitutional reform as Putin's attempt to stay in power after his presidential term ends in 2024. There were suggestions that then Putin would head the State Council or "United Russia".