Russia set to extend presidential term

[The Minx]

CNN

• Story Highlights
• Russian lawmakers vote on constitutional changes to extend presidential terms
• Change could allow former president Vladimir Putin to return to power for 12 years
• Putin says measure would bolster democracy in Russia
• Current President Dmitry Medvedev proposed legislation earlier this week

(CNN) -- Russian lawmakers in Moscow were voting Friday on proposed constitutional changes extending the presidential term from four to six years.

The bill, submitted earlier this week by current Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, has prompted speculation that it could pave the way for Vladimir Putin to return to the Kremlin in 2012 for 12 more years, The Associated Press reports.

The bill was fast tracked through the lower house of the Russian parliament, the Duma, by 388 votes to 58, AP said.

It was expected to pass without much opposition because Putin's United Russia party has controlling majorities in both houses. A majority of regional legislatures -- also controlled by United Russia -- must also approve the bill.

Opposition Communist leader Gennady said extendind the presidency would consolidate even more power in the hands of someone who already enjoyed more authority than the "general secretary (of the Soviet Union), the czar and the pharaoh altogether."

"If tomorrow you choose the person, who is controlled by no one, for a six-year term, it will be an even bigger tragedy and danger for the country (than the economic crisis)," Zyuganov said in comments carried by AP.

The popular Putin, currently prime minister, was obliged to step down from the presidency earlier this year having served two consecutive four-year terms. He says extended presidential terms would bolster democracy in Russia.

"We are seeking instruments that would enable us to guarantee sovereignty, to implement our long-term plans, and that would not only not damage but would foster the development of democracy in this country," Putin told reporters earlier this week, AP reported.

He said six-year terms were nothing unusual in many countries, pointing out that French presidential terms were seven years.

Putin said it was too early to speculate whether he would run for office in 2012.

Medvedev, a former foreign minister, is widely seen as his predecessor's protege since Putin backed him in March's presidential election. The six-year term would not come into force until the end of Medvedev's presidency.

Comrade Putin, I don't think "democracy" means what you think it means...

[frigidmagi]

Putin is interested in two things.

The strongest Russia he can realistically pull off.

Ruling the strongest Russia he can realistically pull off.

I'm fairly sure in that order to. I remind everyone this is the guy who took away the election of governors and made them appointees of the Kremlin (bad thing), broke the Oligarchs (good thing) and has been relentlessly ensuring there can be no center of power that isn't under his control.

I'm wondering if Medvedev and him are going to play a game of catch with the offices of President and Prime Minister and if so for how long?

[General Havoc]

I suspect Frigid that while those are Putin's priorities, that you have the order reversed.

[Derek Thunder]

It's really no secret that deep down inside, Russians long for an iron-fisted tsar to rule them no matter how much they may claim to be for democracy. I wouldn't be surprised if a religious mandate gets put on the agenda of the 2012 Putin ticket.

[The Minx]

"Democracy" has become a hollow buzz-phrase used as a synonym for "civilization" in the way "Rome" used to be, regardless of the reality on the ground.

[frigidmagi]

I suspect Frigid that while those are Putin's priorities, that you have the order reversed.

I must respectfully disagree. Putin has not ripped down the Russian Constitution entire nor has he taken the last great steps of removing any personality or group that could oppose him. While he has ensured that no center of authority exists to challenge the central government, he has not turned the central government into an extension of himself like the fascist dictators of the mid-20th century.

This means that it is possible for the government and the nation to continue after he dies. Such an interest shows that while he clearly desires to rule Russia, Russia itself comes first.

[General Havoc]

I think it shows that unlike a lot of would-be dictators, he appreciates that Russia itself will outlast him. It does not indicate to me that he places Russia first, merely that he understands that he will not rule Russia forever, and therefore he might as well ensure that his legacy is untarnished by chaos in his wake.

I don't deny for a second that Putin wishes to rule a strong and powerful Russia, and would wish Russia powerful in any case, but I definitely think he wants power first.

Honestly though, Russia has no institutional history of democracy. I'm not at all surprised to see something like this.