Putin sets up working group on constitutional changes: Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has set up a working group to deal with the constitutional changes he has proposed, the Kremlin's press service has said. The council, which Putin will meet on Thursday, consists of several dozen people, including parliamentarians. As Rossija24 television announced on Thursday, the first working meeting of the group will take place on Friday.

On Wednesday, Putin proposed amendments to the current constitution. These proposals include strengthening the status of the State Council (an advisory body composed of heads of regions), limiting the number of presidential terms to two and giving the lower house of parliament the right to approve the candidacy of the prime minister.

(PAP)