Europe News
Medvedev signs law on longer presidential terms
Dec 30, 2008, 13:39 GMT
Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Tuesday signed into law a bill extending presidential terms form four to six years, the Kremlin said.
Medvedev final endorsement of the constitutional amendment follows rapid legislative approval by both Russian houses parliament as well as 83 regional chambers.
The Kremlin pushed hard to fast-track the amendment - the first to Russia's 15-year-old constitution - through the constitutional process.
It has been less than two months since Medvedev proposed the constitutional changes in his first state-of-the nation speech on November 5.
The law will apply only to the next elected president, legal experts said. Critics charge the law is aimed at paving the way for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin for what could now be 12 more years.
Putin ceded the presidency to his handpicked successor Medvedev in May as the constitution barred him from a third consecutive term. He has not ruled out standing for another term.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Europe
- 1. Pope in Easter message calls for peace and religious tolerance
- 2. Magnificent Messi leads Barcelona to ninth straight win
- 3. Pope leads Easter vigil, calls for "true enlightenment"
- 4. Barcelona increase pressure on Real with romp in Zaragoza
- 5. Pope Benedict XVI leads Easter Vigil
Older Talkback
page: 1
page: 1
Zyskandar A. JaimotDec 30th, 2008 - 14:35:35
The first change to RUSSIA's constitution is - to make 'slaves'
again of the people by clearing the way for the return of
'MAD'VLAD!!! 'ONCE KGB - ALWAYS KGB'!!! Let the GULAGS and TORTURE DUNGEONS rejoice - 'MAD'VLAD is back!!!
Report this comment