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Russian Lawmakers Give Rapid First Approval to Putin Reforms

RFE/RL

   Russian lawmakers have unanimously approved in its first reading a
   sweeping constitutional reform bill put forward by President Vladimir
   Putin.

   All 432 lawmakers present in the State Duma voted in favor of the bill
   on Thursday, just three days after the amendments were presented to
   parliament.

   "This was a powerful show of unity," Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin
   said after the vote. Volodin said the second reading was expected on
   February 11.

   The bill will then face a third reading, but with parliament dominated
   by Kremlin-loyal lawmakers it is unlikely to face much pushback.

   Once approved in three readings in the Duma, the bill will go to the
   Federation Council -- the upper house of parliament -- before being
   signed into law by Putin.

   Putin's announcement of the reforms during his state-of-the-nation
   address on January 15 was quickly followed by the resignation of Prime
   Minister Dmitry Medvedev's government and the appointment of a new
   premier and cabinet.
   

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