United Russia rules out changes in constitution

The United Russia parliamentary group intends to keep the current Constitution of Russia unchanged, State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov, who is the leader of the United Russia, told reporters. "United Russia has a constitutional majority in the State Duma, and it will be used for protecting the current constitution from any changes," he declared, commenting on remarks by some politicians who suggest amendments to the constitution aimed at extending the term in office for President of Russia.

Answering a question of independent deputy Vladimir Ryzhkov's plans to appeal to the Constitutional Court "in connection with the privatization of the parliament by United Russia," Gryzlov pointed out that it was difficult to comment on such a move. He explained that in accordance with the election law, United Russia had won a majority of 246 seats. A number of deputies have voluntarily joined this parliamentary group, and presently, there are 305 members of the State Duma in the United Russia parliamentary group.