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Dmitry Medvedev (AFP Photo / Dmitry Astakhov) 12.11.2008, 08:51

Medvedev tables presidential term increase

Russia's president Dmitry Medvedev has introduced a bill to the lower house of Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, to increase presidential and parliamentary terms. The proposal was made last week during Medvedev's State Of The Nation Address.

26.11.2008, 09:24

Six-year presidential terms a step closer

Russia's Upper House has voted to accept constitutional amendments extending the presidential term from four to six years and the lower house from four to five years. The changes were backed by 144 votes to one, with 126 votes needed to secure the amendme

14.11.2008, 14:40

Six-year presidency easily passes

Medvedev's proposal to extend the term of president from four years to six passes with over 86 percent of the vote in parliament. Zyuganov poses only real opposition.

Six-year presidency easily passes

Published: 14 November, 2008, 14:40

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Medvedev's proposal to extend the term of president from four years to six passes with over 86 percent of the vote in parliament. Zyuganov poses only real opposition.

The amendment would extend the presidential term from the current four years to six. Supporters like Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the notoriously out-spoken leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), back the change, arguing that experience in a leader is what Russia needs.

“Four years is too little for our huge country… People with more experience work better… When you choose a doctor, you’d prefer someone with 20 years of experience rather than two years, right? It’s the same here,” Zhirinovsky said.

However, not everyone agrees. Victor Sheinis, one of the the original drafters of the constitution back in the early 90s, admits that when the document was written in contained some inherent flaws: one is that it allowed for an over-powerful executive branch.

“From the very beginning, the constitution has had a serious defect. It allowed large powers to be concentrated in the administrative branch at the expense of legislative and judicial branches,” Sheinis said.

He is worried that the proposed amendments are being applied to the wrong area.

“What these amendments do is give even more time to the already very powerful institution of presidency, while I believe they should have instead strengthened the powers of parliament or courts,” Sheinis added.

Medvedev recently told French newspaper Le Figaro that the proposed extension to the presidential term is what the country demands.

“The office terms of supreme power, be it the president or the parliament should first and foremost suit the interests of the country's development,” Medvedev said.

It all but guaranteed that Medvedev will get his way and the reform will be passed.

Many expect current Prime Minister Putin to run again for president once the current term ends.


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