Russian Opposition Responds to Medvedev’s Push to Extend Term Limits

The United Civil Front, the Russian opposition party led by Garry Kasparov, has released a response to Russian President Dmitri Medvedev’s suggestion to extend term limits in the country. Speaking at an annual state-of-the-nation address Wednesday, Medvedev suggested increasing Presidential terms to six years instead of four. Medvedev, who was elected in March, also promised to site missiles in Central Europe in response to an American missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic.

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A Statement by the United Civil Front

In his address to the Federal Assembly, D. Medvedev proposed amending the Constitution, increasing the presidential term limit to 6 years, and the State Duma to 5 years. It is apparent that the proposal will not be implemented through a nationwide referendum, but by the marionette Federal Assembly, and if need be, the regional parliaments.

The United Civil Front has long warned of the threat that the Constitution would be reworked to suit the needs of the illegitimate ruling regime. We assumed that V. Putin would himself implement this type of “Constitutional reform.” However, he has decided to cede these dubious reformative laurels to his younger partner, D. Medvedev.

The scenario where early Presidential and State Duma elections are called immediately after the Constitution is amended seems all the more likely today. And hardly anyone in Russia today has any doubts about who who will stand for election to the highest government post in this case. In such a way, the authorities solve the problem of President Putin’s illegitimate third term.

Appearing today as a speaker of the governing clan that seized power, D. Medvedev unambiguously let all of Russia’s citizen’s know: “we came forever, and there can be no talk about any alternative to our path.”

It is evident that not only the criminal intent to practically usurp power in Russia, but an attempt to divert the public’s attention from the unfolding socio-economic crisis in Russia is hiding behind Medvedev’s proposal to rework the acting Constitution. The United Civil Front declares that the ruling regime only aggravates the crisis with its illegitimate actions, putting the future of our country and all of her citizens at risk.

11.05.2008