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Russia lower house approves presidential term extension

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Russia's State Duma Friday approved amendments to the Russian Constitution that would extend presidential terms from four to six years and terms for Duma members from four to five years. The measure, which passed 392-57, was framed by supporters as a way to provide political stability in light of the country's economic difficulties, but the country's opposition Communist Party and other critics have said that less frequent elections are simply a way for a majority party to more easily maintain power. Some have speculated that the presidential term extensions have been specifically designed to give former president and now prime minister Vladimir Putin additional time as president should current president Dmitry Medvedev step down so that Putin can again run for the presidency. Before becoming law, the measures approved by the Duma must also be approved by Russia's Federation Council, or upper house of parliament, and least two-thirds of the country's regional legislatures. The amendments were proposed by Medvedev in his first state of the nation address to the Federal Assembly earlier this month, and would be the first amendments to the constitution since it replaced its Soviet-era predecessor in 1993. Shortly after the changes were proposed, Duma officials said they would expedite consideration of the amendments.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on November 21, 2008 (boomark / email).