Speculations on Putin and the Russian constitution Commentary
Speculations on Putin and the Russian constitution
Edited by: JURIST Commentator

Michael Kelly [Creighton University School of Law]: "Russian Duma Speaker Gryzlov's determination this week that the Russian constitution would not be changed to allow Putin to run for a third term as president is a triumph for democracy, but will not likely be the end of the story. Speculation is mounting that fresh off his recent "re-election" (stolen as it was) to the presidency of Belarus, Lukashenko will seek to re-federate with Russia, forming a new country and requiring a new federal-level constitutional agreement which could open up a new office for Putin to occupy – President of the Russian/Belarussian Federation. This, Putin could do without violating the Russian constitution. Similarly, Slobodan Milosevic occupied the federal Yugoslav presidency after he left the Serbian presidency (and we all know what happened after that)."

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