Translated material
With fists after a fight
Three weeks ago, the Duma extended the political life of most governors and presidents of the republics, essentially allowing them to remain in place until 2013. The Duma decided to correct its decision yesterday, when it became known that the president had already signed the amendment he had received to the law on the general principles of organizing government bodies in the constituent entities of the federation. The law, which came into force last fall, stipulates that regional heads have the right to hold office for no more than two consecutive terms. The amendment, approved by the Duma on January 25, clarifies that the time limit applies from the date the law comes into force. At the same time, the terms that the current heads of regions have already managed to reign in their posts are not counted. Thus, the amendment allows 69 regional heads to be elected for a third, and some for a fourth term.
Gennady Seleznev plans to correct this norm with the help of deputy Boris Nadezhdin (SPS), who proposes not to impose term limits on the heads of only those subjects of the federation whose constitutions or charters do not yet provide for such restrictions. There are only seven such regions, and only the heads of four will be able to be elected for a third term: Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, Novgorod Governor Mikhail Prusak and the head of the Komi executive branch Yuri Spiridonov. Mr. Nadezhdin's initiative is not new. He spoke with her on January 24 and 25, when the Duma discussed the amendment on the deadlines in the second and third readings. Mr. Nadezhdin was unable to win over the majority of deputies to his side.
But before returning to the issue of gubernatorial terms, the Duma on Thursday will have to decide the fate of the bill allowing the president to appoint regional heads. The project was introduced by deputy Vitaly Lednik (Unity). The presidential representative in the Duma, Alexander Kotenkov, has already notified parliamentarians that Vladimir Putin will not support this legislative initiative.