Duma adopts amendments to law "On referendum of Russian Federation"

The State Duma adopted Friday, on the third final reading, a bill on amendments to the law "On referendum of the Russian Federation".

These amendments provide for introducing a ban on staging national referendums during federal election campaigns and a year before the expiry of the tenure of the Russian president and State Duma, with the exception of referendums concerning international treaties.

With the required 300 votes for this constitutional law to pass, it was supported by 302 deputies. The Communist faction voted against it almost in its entirety.

Now the law will be submitted for consideration by the upper chamber of the Federation Council.