Russia’s State Duma has passed in the first reading today, November 14, 2008, the bill on extending the president’s term to six years and the term of State Duma to five years.
Photo: Dmitry Dukhanin
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State Duma Voted for President’s Term Extension
Russia’s State Duma has passed in the first reading today, November 14, 2008, the bill on extending the president’s term to six years and the term of State Duma to five years. The current terms are four years, Interfax reported.
The bill will amend Section 1 of Clause 81 and Section 1 of Clause 96 of the RF Constitution. It will take effect on the day of official promulgation after being approved by legislative bodies of at least two-thirds of the RF constituents and will be in force for the next president and the State Duma.
Some 388 (vs 58) have voted for the bill in the State Duma today.
Passing amendments to the Constitution won’t result in early elections, said State Duma's Speaker Boris Gryzlov.
“All those elected are to work during their term,” Gryzlov told reporters on Friday after the State Duma passed bills in the first reading. In addition to extension of president’s and State Duma’s terms, the bills of the president’s package also define controlling authority of the State Duma in respect of the government.
The State Duma will hear two bills of the president’s package – the ones related to amending the Constitution – in the second and third readings already next week, Gryzlov said. As to amending the RF Government Act, its second and third readings will probably require longer preparation.
www.kommersant.com
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