Residents of Russia and Belarus have gained the opportunity to participate in local government elections in both countries. This was reported by *Rossiyskaya Gazeta*, noting that Vladimir Putin signed a protocol introducing amendments to the treaty between the states of the Union State.
The document revises the agreement on equal rights for citizens dated December 25, 1998. The protocol was signed by Presidents Putin and Lukashenko on March 13, 2025.
The new provisions stipulate that Russians permanently residing in Belarus will be able to participate in municipal elections both as voters and candidates. Belarusian citizens living in Russia will receive the same rights.
As stated by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, this decision represents "a significant step toward more active involvement of citizens from both countries in addressing local issues that concern them as residents of specific territories."
It is worth recalling that roaming fees for mutual travel between Belarus and Russia were previously abolished.