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Russia upper house gives final approval to presidential term extension amendments

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

[JURIST] Russia's Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, gave final approval Monday to amendments to the Russian Constitution that would extend presidential terms from four to six years and terms for parliament members from four to five years. The Council issued a unanimous resolution approving the amendments after it was approved by all 83 regional parliaments. The resolution followed earlier endorsements from the State Duma, or lower house, as well as Federation Council. The term extension amendments, once signed into law by President Dmitry Medvedev, will mark the first changes to the Russian constitution since it replaced its Soviet-era predecessor in 1993. Kremlin officials, including Medvedev, have championed the amendments as a way of ensuring the flexibility and sustainability of Russia's political system. Critics fear, that the term extensions are designed to orchestrate a longer third term for former president and current prime minister Vladimir Putin should Medvedev step aside. Medvedev proposed the changes in his first state of the nation address to the Federal Council in November.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on December 22, 2008 (boomark / email).