Russian parliament approves extension of presidential term

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"The Russian parliament approved a constitutional amendment Friday to extend the presidential term from four to six years.

There is widespread speculation in Russian media that the change is aimed at paving the way for a return to the Kremlin by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who remains a popular and powerful figure since leaving the president's office in May.

The Kremlin maintains the amendment -- along with other proposed changes to the terms in office for elected officials -- is necessary to ensure the stability of future Russian governments.

President Dmitry Medvedev announced the measures just two weeks ago, in his first state-of-the-nation speech on November 5.

The lower house of the Russian parliament had its third and final reading Friday before putting the measures to a vote. It passed by a vote of 392 to 57, with those against representing the Communist Party faction. There were no abstentions.

Further approval is needed from the upper house of parliament and regional councils before the changes become law. The amendments will come into force when at least two-thirds of the nation's 83 regional parliaments and assemblies -- or 56 -- approve them."

Not sure this is a good idea ...
  • added November 21, 2008
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9 responses // Russian parliament approves extension of presidential term

  •  

    wow... and exactly what would we do if that happened here in America? I mean, regardless if the president was popular or not, we wake up one day to find that our Congress voted to extend his term from 4 to 6 years...

    Hard to imagine, isn't it?

    ninepounds6
    1 response to this
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    I think we can say its already happened at least once - FDR ran three terms and died in his fourth. The same thing came up when George Washington's term in office was done; he was offered another term by the voting populace (who loved him, but since that wasn't EVERYone who knows what the real sentiment was) but respectfully declined.
    I'd be more worried about an "act of war" allowing Bush to keep the office more than a Congressional allowance, personally...

    alicynx
    2 responses to this
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    Its six more years in which Putin gets to ran the presidency from behind the scenes thats Russian democracy for yea!

    ferrjuan
    1 response to this
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    Then what; in two years change it for six to eight?
    Whatever it takes to NEVER give up power

    ivxx
  •  

    I can't believe no one mentioned that this is almost exactly whats happening in New York City right now...

    kellysontheroad

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