OREANDA-NEWS. The Federation Council of the Russian Federation (the upper house of the national parliament) approved a bill to amend the country’s Constitution.

160 senators voted in favor of the draft law, 1 voted nay, 3 abstained. As speaker Valentina Matvienko noted, the bill on constitutional amendments became one of the most important issues in the recent history of Russia. “We need to understand that over the years since the adoption of the Constitution, the country has gained colossal experience, it has come a long way. There are new challenges and threats, and we cannot but take them into account making our decisions,” the politician said.

The amendments to the Constitution are devoted to new requirements for the president, members of the government and state officials at various levels, governmental social guarantees to citizens, change of the authorities of the parliament, establishing the status of the Russian language and other matters. In addition, the amendments allow the incumbent president to run for office again in 2024.

The bill will be transferred to the subjects of the Federation. If two-thirds of them vote in favor, the head of state will sign and publish it.