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Institutionalizing Personalism: The Russian Presidency after Constitutional Changes
[journal article]
Abstract The 2020 constitutional changes considerably increase presidential powers while sending mixed signals about presidential transition. The main driver of the amendments were term limits. The "zeroing" of Putin’s presidential terms enhances certainty for himself by fostering uncertainty for others. But... view more
The 2020 constitutional changes considerably increase presidential powers while sending mixed signals about presidential transition. The main driver of the amendments were term limits. The "zeroing" of Putin’s presidential terms enhances certainty for himself by fostering uncertainty for others. But there is more to the amendments: Numerous changes are not new, they simply align the constitutional text with subconstitutional powers the presidency had been accumulating. The embedding of term limit circumvention in a comprehensive constitutional overhaul is a risk- hedging strategy to avert resistance by weakening the signal about Putin's intentions. Constitutional changes are therefore an instrument of elite coordination. The amendments also increase presidential flexibility. This expedited regime personalization is detrimental to governance and will make repression more prevalent. But it also creates more risks for Putin. Regardless of how presidential succession will play out, Putin's legacy will be a highly personalized authoritarian regime with a constitutionally unconstrained presidency.... view less
Keywords
Russia; president; constitutional amendment; reform; executive power; authoritarianism; Council of State (GDR); legislative term; Putin, V.
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
semi-presidentialism; term limits; executive politics
Document language
English
Publication Year
2021
Page/Pages
p. 50-70
Journal
Russian Politics, 6 (2021) 1
Issue topic
Russia's 2020 Constitutional Reform: The Politics of Institutionalizing the Status-Quo
DOI
https://doi.org/10.30965/24518921-00601004
ISSN
2451-8921
Status
Postprint; peer reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications