OREANDA-NEWS. Russian State Duma approved the amendments to the country’s Constitution at a first reading.

Deputies of all factions, all 432 parliamentarians unanimously supported the proposals by President Vladimir Putin. The bill caused a discussion and questions to representatives of the working group on amendments to the Constitution. The deputies’ questions touched upon a wide range of topics: social support of citizens, the powers of the President, the State Duma, the Federation Council, and the State Council. Parliamentarians intend to propose their own changes at a second reading of the bill which may take place in February.

“The amendments are aimed at ensuring the sovereignty of our country, consolidating social guarantees for citizens, developing the political system, including by strengthening the role of the parliament, forming the structure of public authorities, establishing a system of unity of public authority, and increasing the requirements for people holding key government posts and improvement of the legislative process,” Pavel Krasheninnikov, the co-chair of the amendment working group, said.