Following on from 13:42GMT bullet: Putin.....>

RUSSIA: Following on from 13:42GMT bullet: Putin has accepted the gov'ts

resignation and asked the Cabinet to stay on in a caretaker capacity.

- In order for the constitution to be changed to shift powers from the

presidency to the prime minister and Cabinet, the change would have to be

approved in a public referendum. 

- The last constitutional ref in Russia took place in Dec 1993, when 58.4% of

those who voted approved a new constitution to take over from the 1978 Soviet

version. The ref campaign saw an intense contest between President Boris Yeltsin

and Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Soviet of Russia, eventually

won by Yeltsin following the dissolution of the Congress in Sep 1993. 

- Next legislative elections due by Sep 2021 at the latest. With Putin's term up

in 2024, it is unclear whether he will resign as president in order to run for

parliament, or seek a parliamentary seat once his term expires. 

- The move will bring strong criticism from opposition. However, Putin has

proved adept at continuing in office relatively unscathed despite major protests

in the past.