President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed a referendum on amending Russia's constitution to increase the powers of parliament while maintaining a strong presidential system.
"I consider it necessary to conduct a vote by the country's citizens on an entire package of proposed amendments to the country's constitution," Putin said in his annual address to lawmakers, without specifying any date for a vote.
"We will be able to build a strong prosperous Russia only on the basis of respect for public opinion," he said.
"Together we will certainly change life for the better."
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