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Putin believes that Russia can introduce direct elections of senators in future

But he warned that the Russian Constitution should be amended for this purpose

NOVO-OGAREVO, November 30 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Russia can introduce direct elections of senators, but he warned that the Russian Constitution should be amended for this purpose.

“I know that many of you and me believe that we should introduce direct elections of senators eventually in the future,” the Russian president told the leaders of the State Duma factions. However, he warned that “then we should ponder over relevant amendments in the fundamental Russian law.”

“It is needed to consider the Russian Constitution, the Constitution holds that members of the upper house (Russian parliament – Itar-Tass) represent legislative and executive authorities of a constituent territory of the Russian Federation. They represent it, therefore, we should ponder over relevant amendments in the fundamental Russian law,” the president noted.

“At the modern stage of development of our country the offered procedure meets democratic criteria quite well and provides broader opportunities for Russian citizens to participate in the forming of the upper house,” Putin believes.

“We and you acted correctly, making a next step in the development of democracy and approving new principles in the forming of the upper house,” the Russian president underlined.

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