One more thought about Putin’s hasty edits to the constitution.
Let’s say under the current constitution the president may do A but not B. (Either B strictly belongs in the legislative domain, or it is out of reach of any branch of power.) Under the new constitution, the president may not do either A or B without the parliament’s consent. However, with parliamentary approval, he’s allowed both/either A and B.
Does this change extend or reduce the president’s powers? The former if the parliament can be counted on to endorse any presidential whim. This is the case in Russia. I also hear talk about dormant institutions, due to wake up at any moment. Can the Russian Duma transition from zombie to human? Yes – when and if Putin exits the stage and the theater.