Third term loophole approved

On June 23, 2005, the Committee on Constitutional Legislation of the State Duma of the Russian Federation approved an amendment to the Law on Presidential Elections of the Russian Federation introduced by United Russia deputy Alexander Moskalets, which allows the resigned president to run again if the early elections are declared invalid. Many media outlets and opposition State Duma deputies perceived this as an opportunity for a third presidential term for Vladimir Putin, calling it a “loophole for a third term.”

A president who has resigned early will not be able to stand as a candidate in early elections, but if these elections are declared invalid, his participation in repeat elections is possible. Thus, Putin will be able to legally go for a third term, and formally this term will only be the second, since - in the event of resignation - it will be considered that the president did not have two terms.

The head of the Central Election Commission, Alexander Veshnyakov, claims that this amendment cannot be interpreted in this way, since the corresponding restriction has not been abolished in the law on presidential elections, however, the text of the election law is quite vague, and, as it seems to us, allows for different interpretations.

Previously, experts considered various options under which Putin could remain in power, in particular, they discussed the possibility of changing the Constitution.

Sources

• Third in Law // Polit.Ru. 2005. June 24.
• "United Russia" created a loophole for Putin's third term // NEWSRu.com. 2005. June 24.