MOSCOW, 25 March (BelTA) - Russia will postpone its vote on constitutional amendments, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address to the nation, BelTA has learned. The vote was initially set for 22 April.
The decision is due to the need to ensure the safety, life and health of citizens amid the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. Referring to the new vote date, the Russian president said: "We will assess how the situation will develop in the regions and in the country as a whole. We will make a decision on the new vote day based on professional opinion and recommendations of doctors and specialists.”
Vladimir Putin stressed that it is extremely important to prevent the rapid spread of the disease in Russia. In this regard, he declared the following week, from 30 March to 5 April, as a nationwide holiday.
The Russian president also announced a number of social and economic initiatives to support the most vulnerable segments of the population, small and medium-sized businesses. He proposed imposing a 15% tax on the funds withdrawn abroad. In addition, he suggested a 13% tax on interest income on deposits and securities, the amount of which exceeds RUB1 million.
