Putin's return?
Russian constitution change could lead to Putin comeback as president
"Russian MPs today took the first step in changing the constitution to pave the way for Vladimir Putin to make a comeback as president.
"Putin stepped down in May as he was barred constitutionally from seeking a third successive term as president, and became prime minister. He was succeeded by his protege, Dmitry Medvedev, although Putin, a former head of Russian intelligence, is considered the power behind the throne.
"The Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, voted 388-58 to make changes to the constitution that would extend the presidential term from four to six years. The chamber, dominated by the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, also voted to extend its own term to five years from four...
"There is speculation that Medvedev would resign early, allowing Putin to become acting president and pave the way for new elections. If Putin wins the election - and he would be the overwhelming favourite - he could be in office for two six-year terms..."
Labels: constitution, leadership, politics, Russia
posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:03 AM
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Russian Presidential Term Approved
"The lower house of Russia's parliament has given its final approval to a bill extending the presidential term from four to six years...
"The Kremlin-controlled State Duma voted 392-57 Friday to approve the bill at its third and final reading. It now goes to the upper house for an expected swift approval..."
Russia approves presidency bill
"A bill to extend the presidential term from four to six years has been backed by Russia's upper house of parliament after regional assemblies endorsed it...
"Last month, both the lower house and upper house approved the bill.
"The bill's rapid progression is being seen as a sign Vladimir Putin may return to the presidency soon...
"The amendment will become law once it is signed by President Dmitry Medvedev but will only take effect after the next presidential election...
"The bill also extends the mandate of the lower house, the State Duma, from four years to five.
"The government says the constitutional changes are needed because the existing four-year term is too short to implement serious reforms in such a huge and complex country."
Opponents Protest Kremlin's Presidential Term Effort
"One of Russia's opposition parties has challenged the Kremlin's whirlwind legislative campaign to extend the term of the Russian presidency, saying it violates a law requiring parliament to wait a year before ratifying a constitutional amendment.
"The protest by the pro-democracy Yabloko party could prove an unexpected hurdle for President Dmitry Medvedev's plan to extend the presidential term from four years to six years...
"Yabloko objected to the move, pointing out that a clause in the 1998 law setting procedures for amending the constitution says the regions must be given a year to consider proposed amendments..."
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