Putin Amendment May Allow Third Term

[maddezmom]

MOSCOW - Lawmakers are considering an electoral amendment next week that could open the way for President Vladimir Putin to run for a third term, prompting the opposition to accuse his supporters of trying to cling to power.

Putin has repeatedly said he will not change the constitution, which bars presidents from serving more than two consecutive terms.

A senior member of his United Russia party, however, submitted a legislative amendment Thursday that would allow Putin to stand for re-election if he stepped down before the end of his second term ends in March 2008, and if the next presidential poll held without his participation is declared invalid — for example, because of low turnout.

The lawmaker, Alexander Moskalets, deputy head of the lower house's constitutional legislation committee, declined to comment on the initiative, which was part of a package of electoral legislation to be voted on in its second reading Wednesday.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050624/ap_on_re_eu/russia_putin_2

[ckramer]

1. I say, Mr. Putin, why do you pretend you practice democracy

Why don't you just go ahead and say - "fuck democracy, I'm taking over!"

Because everyone sees it.

[atreides1]

3. Because he wants to be just his friend George

You notice that Putin isn't involving himself into the process directly. Just like George isn't involving himself in the process to get the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution repealed, just some of his supporters.

[Doctor_J]

2. This could catch on in this hemisphere,

if you know what I mean. Let's see if Smirk denounces this or not.

[Zynx]

4. Ok, who didn't see this one coming?

[FlemingsGhost]

5. Diebold machines must be too expensive.

This isn't too transparent, huh?

[bullimiami]

6. and guess who would follow pootie poots lead if he could.

of course he sees into his soul.