27 Jun 2012 15:00

Premature to amend constitution to introduce direct senate elections - Putin

MOSCOW. June 27 (Interfax) - President Vladimir Putin does not think the constitution should be amended right now in order to introduce direct senatorial elections.

"We discussed the prospect of electing senators in direct polls. But the constitution says that the upper house consists of representatives of regional governments and legislatures. It does not say that the upper house must be formed in citizens' direct polls," he told senators on Wednesday.

"If the [direct senate elections] is to be realized fully, the constitution must be amended," he said.

"I don't think we should do this right now. But in general, in the future, I think this might be possible," he said.