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Russian lawmakers back extending presidential term

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-14 23:48

MOSCOW -- Russian lawmakers gave preliminary approval Friday for extending presidential terms from four years to six -- a move observers say could pave the way for Vladimir Putin to return to the presidency.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, seen, at a Cabinet meeting in Moscow, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that a bill that would extend the Russian president's term to six years was not tailored for him and would be a boost for democracy in the country. [Agencies]

The popular Putin, now prime minister, was barred constitutionally from seeking a third straight term as president. His successor, Dmitry Medvedev, resoundingly won the post in March elections.

But analysts speculated Medvedev could resign early, propelling Putin into the role of acting president and triggering elections in which Putin could run and would likely win.

If presidential terms are extended to six years as expected, that could set Putin up for another 12 years in office for a total of 20 years as Kremlin leader including his previous terms.

The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, voted 388-58 to pass the constitutional change Friday in the first of three readings, with opposition coming from the Communist faction. The legislation must also be approved by the upper house of parliament and by a majority of regional legislatures. The Kremlin-backed United Russia party dominates all of the legislative bodies.

Ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky voiced support for the measure, saying it would bring Russia "into conformity" with other nations, such as France, where the president serves for six years.

But he suggested legislators were failing to think for themselves, and instead were rubber-stamping Kremlin legislation. "The only thing that makes me upset is that had the president offered to cut the term to three years, we would have applauded and voted the same way," he said.

Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov railed against measure, suggesting it was designed to vest even more power in the presidency.

"He has more power than the general secretary (of the Soviet Union), the czar and the pharaoh altogether," Zyuganov said. "If tomorrow you choose the person, who is controlled by no one, for a six-year term, it will be an even bigger tragedy and danger for the country" than the economic crisis.

Lawmakers also voted to extend Duma legislators' terms from four to five years.