Local referendum on legalization of Russian language as a second state one will take place in Crimea.

Crimean Supreme Rada made a decision to hold consultative referendum on this issue. The date of referendum has not been determined yet. Several deputies advocated for holding of referendum on March 26 together with parliamentarian election. In opinion of legislators, expenses for referendum will sufficiently reduce then.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor of Crimea Victor Shemchuk disputed the decision noticing that it contradicts to Ukrainian legislation. In opinion of the prosecutor the issue must be solved on "state level" because it deals with state structure and implies introduction of amendments to main law of the country.

Ukrainian constitution assigns Ukrainian language the status of a state one but guarantees free development, use and protection of Russian language and other languages of national minorities. 300 votes of Supreme Rada deputies are needed to change the constitution.

Meanwhile, sociologists inform that over half of Ukrainian population (56.2%) "completely agree" or "rather agree" with legalization of Russian language as a second state one.
sections: Society