Power for president
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MOSCOW - The draft constitution on which President Boris Yeltsin hopes to build a new post-Communist political system would grant sweeping new powers and make the Russian executive stronger than either the US or French presidents, writes Andrew Higgins.
The new parliament would be a bi-cameral body called the Federal Assembly, with a Council of Federation, representing regions and semi-autonomous republics, and a popularly elected Duma.
Mr Yeltsin's proposals would make it more difficult, though by no means impossible, to remove him from office.
The Russian president, who will be elected, as now, for a five-year term, would gain the right to initiate legislation and virtually to impose his own choice as prime minister irrespective of the balance of forces in parliament.
Only the prime minister would face any scrutiny from the legislature. Also within the president's gift would be the right to call referendums, issue decrees and negotiate treaties.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments