I realise that 2008 will be an important test for Russia, and not an easy one. At the same time, the Constitution of the Russian Federation states that the President, the head of state, is elected for four years through direct secret ballot and cannot stay in office for more than two consecutive terms. I am not indifferent of course to the question of who will take in their hands the destiny of the country I have devoted my life to serving. But if each successive head of state were to change the Constitution to suit them, we would soon find ourselves without a state at all. I think that Russia's different political forces are sufficiently mature to realise their responsibility to the people of the Russian Federation. In any case, the person who receives the votes of the majority of Russian citizens will become the President of the country.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Putin acknowledges 2008 as a test for Russia, stresses constitutional limits on presidential terms, and warns against altering the constitution for personal gain.
- In plain terms
- 2008 is a crucial test; constitutional limits protect against power grabs.
- What can you take from it?
- Respect constitutional rules to preserve the state.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How robust are these safeguards?
- What pressures could undermine them?
Another view
Political realities may still allow circumvention.
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