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Duma Has the Bill on President's Term Extension
Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev has submitted to the State Duma the bills to amend the Constitution in part of extending the president’s term and the term of State Duma and in part of State Duma’s control over the cabinet.
In the annual message to Federal Assembly that Medvedev delivered November 5, 2008, he suggested extending the president's term to six years and the State Duma’s term to five years.
According to Medvedev, the matter at stake isn’t reforming but rather correcting the Constitution. Although the amendments are vital, they are of defining nature and won’t affect political and legal essence of existing institutions.
Medvedev said the amendments would provide additional resource for the stable operation of Russia’s authorities. “So the reforming itch in relation to the Basic Law is absolutely out of place,” the president added, emphasizing that the RF Constitution is absolutely efficient. “It works and its basic position should remain unshakable for many years.”
Given that quite a number of policymakers have boosted the proposed extension of president’s term, the analysts predict that passing the bill won’t take long. But it is yet unknown whether the amendments will extend to the current president or take effect only for the next president and the parliament.
www.kommersant.com
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