Putin and Russia's Constitutional Reform
Date: April 7th, 2020 at 15:00 CEST / 14:00 UTC / 09:00 EST Platform: Zoom Webinar
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Presentation Summary
In light of recent constitutional changes in Russia, Emily Ferris of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) unpacked what these amendments could mean for the reconfiguration of regional responsibility and decision-making processes in Russia.
While the changes technically allow Putin to seek another term in office after 2024, the Kremlin has avoided making a definitive decision, preferring to leave all options open. The amendments suggest a refocus and potential redistribution of responsibility (but not power) among regional governors, who are key implementers of Putin's legacy—his National Projects.
Governors unable to execute Moscow's orders to improve infrastructure, economically develop their regions, and quell protest action may find themselves rotated out of office.
About the Presenter
Emily Ferris
Title: Research Fellow Affiliation: Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Emily Ferris specializes in Russian domestic and foreign policies, with a focus on regional political processes and infrastructure in the Russian Far East, as well as Russia's political and security approach toward Belarus.
Before joining RUSI in 2018, Ferris worked at Control Risks, a London consultancy firm, as a Russian security and politics analyst, advising clients conducting business in Russia and Eastern Europe. She has worked and traveled extensively across Russia and speaks Russian, German, and Hebrew.