Russian liberal politicians oppose extending presidential term
Interfax
Moscow, 14 November: Leaders of liberal parties and opposition social organizations have criticized the decision of the State Duma to adopt in the first reading a package of amendments to the constitution to extend the term of office of the president and parliament from four to six and five years, respectively.
"This is a wrong decision that reminds one of the practice in some Asian countries where there is a tendency towards staying in office for life. This leads to stagnation of power," Yabloko leader Sergey Mitrokhin told Interfax today.
"In some time from now the irremovability of authorities may lead to a conflict between the authorities and the population. This is especially topical in an economic crisis," Mitrokhin said.
Union of Right Forces leader Leonid Gozman agrees with him. "It would be better if the State Duma did not do this. Extending the president's term of office is not sensible. There are no benefits, but the drawbacks are obvious," Gozman told Interfax on Friday (14 November).
"The level of feedback between the authorities and society - which is extremely low as it is - is becoming still lower. There is one opportunity left for citizens to express their dissatisfaction with the authorities - to come to a polling station once every four years. Now they will have such an opportunity once in six years. I do not see anything good in it," he said.
One of the leaders of the Other Russia coalition (leader of the banned National Bolshevik Party) Eduard Limonov also opposes extending the presidential and Duma terms of office.
"There is no political competition in Russia as it is; the authorities are free of criticism," he said.
A statement from the Other Russia distributed today says that the opposition is initiating a collection of signatures in support of the constitution and against extending the presidential term of office.
Some human rights champions share the opinion of liberal politicians.
"I do not like this. I like the principle 'do not touch the constitution'. If one starts making amendments, one might not stop," Lyudmila Alekseyeva, who heads the oldest human rights organization in Russia, the Moscow Helsinki Group, told Interfax.
"Amendments related to the changing the terms of office may create an unhealthy situation. The modern world needs modernization, while with us it is other way round," she said.