Dmitry Rogozin on Results of Chechen Referendum

Dmitry Rogozin, Chairman of the International Committee of the State Duma, or the lower house of the Russian parliament, and the head of the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, thinks it possible that the Chechen Republic might hold presidential and parliamentary elections this year.

Commenting on the results of Chechnya's constitutional referendum, Rogozin pointed out to the "high activity of the republic's citizens during the referendum." In his opinion, the results indicate that the citizens of Chechnya opt for "peaceful life in the republic." "The referendum gives a carte blanche to the leading political forces of Chechen society and the federal authorities" in their effort to speed up preparations for the republic's presidential and parliamentary elections, he said.