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06.11.2008, 06:22

Medvedev hopes for 'second wind' with U.S. under Obama

Dmitry Medvedev says that U.S-Russian relations could get a “second wind” as a result of Barack Obama’s victory in the American Presidential election. The announcement came during his first State of the Nation Address.

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.

21.11.2008, 18:34

Parliament agrees to extend presidential term

Russia's lower house of parliament – the State Duma – has passed in its third reading the constitutional amendments extending the term of office for the presidency from four to six years, drawing the law a step closer.

Six-year presidency expected to sail through

Published: 14 November, 2008, 06:16

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President Dmitry Medvedev's proposed constitutional amendment to extend the presidential term faces little opposition in Parliament. However, one drafter of the constitution says the reform focuses on the wrong parts of government.

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’ve 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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Tokyo Prefecture, Japan 14.11.2008, 06:08

Japan weathers the economic storm

As the U.S. and Europe suffer the full force of the recession, things don’t seem that bad in the Far East. Residents there are optimistic and financial experts say Japan has both a geographical and political advantage in dealing with the crisis.

14.11.2008, 06:47

Bush defends free markets ahead of G20

Despite some evidence to the contrary, US President George W. Bush insists the global financial crisis ‘was not a failure of the free market’. His defence of Western-style capitalism came just hours before world leaders were expected in Washington for a c