"If constitutional amendments on extending presidential office to three terms were discussed at a popular referendum [constitutional amendments are only adopted at referendums], I would vote 'yes'", Governor Viktor Tolokonsky said. This statement came after the Primorye region parliamentarians put forward an initiative to amend the constitution.
I am personally for keeping the Russian Constitution stable. However, things change, and laws need to be adjusted. It is particularly relevant to our country, whose current constitution was adopted in the early 1990s when the political, social, and economic systems were not fully established, he said.
Extending the presidential term would be beneficial for Russia at this stage, he said.
"The majority of countries with stable economies have two terms of presidential office - this is optimal," said Tolokonsky.
He said Russia needed a long presidential office for more efficient reforms and stability of state power. It would also help to avoid losing time during the adjustment period for new authorities.
During his recent visit to Finland, President Putin, whose term will end in 2008, said, "Perhaps I would want to [run for the third term], but the Constitution does not allow for this."
