Foes fear Putin will act to regain top position Lawmakers back extending presidential term
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 15, 2008
MOSCOW — Russian lawmakers moved to lengthen the presidential term from four to six years on Friday with a vote that opponents called a step toward Vladimir Putin’s return to power.
Advertisement
The change means that the powerful prime minister could serve a total of 20 years as president if he returns to the position as many expect.
Political analysts and Kremlin foes predict that President Dmitry Medvedev could step down as early as next year, making his former patron acting president and triggering elections in which Putin would run and likely win.
Vladimir Ryzhkov, a liberal democratic critic of the Kremlin and former member of parliament, described the amendment as just the first step in Putin’s choreographed return to the presidency.
State Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov denied that Medvedev planned to leave office before his term ends in 2012. "Everyone must work to the end of his term,” he told Russian news agency RIA-Novosti.
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on local crime or fatality stories.
The president of the European Commission said Friday the European Union will resume partnership talks with Russia that were put on hold Sept. 1 over the war with Georgia. Jose Manuel Barroso said the talks are being resumed to increase stability.
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a commentEditor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on local crime or fatality stories.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).