What a disgusting human being.
1
“Mr. Trump, after weeks of playing down potential effects of the virus, called” some of those other gods out there and asked for help for his side, the bad gods, who are beginning to feel the effects of rejection by their followers. These gods know that even they can only go so far before they lose their support(s) and those other gods, the good ones, take back control of their people. There is Trump and Putin, who also feels that he is a god. Now, which side of the gods is the new Russian god Vladimir Putin? Based upon the fact that he has substantial support by the Russian people, he also has to be a god, right?
The only thing Putin wants to "guarantee" is his ability to steal more money from the public coffers for longer.
He is a disgrace to the notion of civil society and his people will suffer more for it.
Unfortunately, it appears that the only remedy is civil disobedience. Whether the Russian people are willing to go through yet another upheaval to continue their democratic experience remains to be seen.
1
The poor Russian people. They have a self-anointed king, like it or not. I just hope this doesn't give Trump ideas.
4
Mitch McConnell needs to huddle with Mark Meadow and Donald Trump asap to copy Putin's strategy, even at the risk of catching the covid-19. Be courageous. They need to rob success from the mouth of Biden in 2020. Change the US Constitution now. (Plot for a revived VEEP show).
Did anyone else make this connection? Putin''s supporters saying he should be allowed to run again for the good of their nation. Compare that to Alan Dershowitz defending Trump's meddling in Ukraine to gain political advantage over a rival because a continuance of his Presidency would be good for our nation. You can't make this stuff up!
4
Vote in every single election, Americans. It could happen here. Russian citizens, fight back!
4
The role model for Trump.
We say things like Never Here or America is a Democracy, but the Democrat's establishment is proving once again that it cannot present a candidate of presidential stature. Their National organization is one-sided and corrupt, therefore incapable of inciting the best to come forward.
Putin has the power, the public, and the machinery in his grip. Our self-righteous media and politicians quickly cite Castro, Madura, , etc., but overlook the real perversions of democracies such as Netanyahu, Erdogan, and Trump.
"Mr. Putin emphasized that the legislation allowing him to run again would have to be approved by Russia’s Constitutional Court. The legislation would also be part of the package of constitutional amendments to be voted on in a previously scheduled nationwide plebiscite on April 22." The collapse of the Soviet Union was an absolute disaster for the ordinary citizens of that country as the economic upheavals and anarchy of the 90s and incompetent Yeltsin government attests. Putin's government did in fact bring about stability and economic betterment to the vast majority of Russians and is still the basis of his widespread popularity despite a vibrant if small opposition movement including a Communist Party in the Duma. The attempt by the new Russian ruling class to create a parliamentary capitalist democracy based on western European models has proven to be extremely problematic given the history of the Soviet Union and Putin is correct to stress that evolutionary developments in this direction are a continued necessity and probably require a stable temporary continuity of the present mixture of a strong presidential regime restrained by a semblance of popular control through parliament and by means of the Constitutional Court. The fact that the Russian people must approve of Putin's reforms by means of a national election is proof that the ideals of bourgeois democratic government are alive and well in Russia despite whatever historical constraints they still face.
Trump's idol is showing him the way forward if we Americans cannot unite to remove him and his Republican Senate lap dogs from office in November. That's a lot to overcome, but overcome it we must; the alternative is a Trump dictatorship or dynasty,
Both of which are unthinkable - and yet, we thought of them....
2
Every country leader loves the job -- the huge airplane, secret service clearing every street and rooftop, and best, every insane thought implemented. It's good to be the king.
The US Constitution's 22nd Amendment is among its most important, with the two term Presidential limit. Other countries have similar provisions, but their government is based on a person rather than a Constitution, as the actions in Russia, China, and Turkey show.
China's Xi Jinping was rewarded not just because he was a strongman, but because he used his engineer education to propel the economy upward with technology. But soon, as it sinks in that he doesn't have to actually show results, that will slow down, or like the others, turn to military action.
Putin is now Stalin, and that guy was not the friendliest toward his countrymen, killing 20 million of them. If Putin feels threatened, he will best Stalin's record.
What if Trump does it differently by being voted out and not yielding power?
2
Putin said the words we could imagine from Trump. Why do you think we don't hear of Putin much?They probably planned it together,. We have seen the unthinkable with Trump. Heres one fo ya. How about he demands to stay by exec order just like Putin, maybe using the exact words. Then in his insane plot he plans to pas the dynasty on to his children.
5
Shocking! I tell you! Just shocking! Authoritarians gonna grift because that's what they do.
We are truly gobsmacked. Not.
Let’s hope his life is very short, then.
5
Trump may say the exact same words lifted from Putin. He’s that bad. Pence too. Supreme Court including Roberts are his henchmen.
2
Why does he go to the trouble of staging this comedy? "If the people want it, I'm ready to make this sacrifice." "If the constitutional court allows it ..." It's the fiction of democracy he wants to maintain. Stalin was more honest.
1
On illusion of everlasting life: what wouldn't rulers do to keep the power in their own hands?
Power transfer is inevitable at some point. No plan? No worries. After they're gone, who cares, right?
@Carl - you really think our unstable, unfit tyrant is going to leave office quietly even if he loses the election?
Trump said something very similar, he said he wants to extend American term limits to 25 years. He said he wants to do this first thing upon re-election in November.
3
Why is anyone west of the-city-that-used-to-be-Leningrad surprised by this? Now we all can see why that man in the White House is so happy to be his friend.
3
I'm not too concerned about Russian power struggles. It's a matter of the devil we know versus the devil we don't. We should also reconsider ending arms control agreements. The people who brought us that policy change are the same ones who want an AR-15 in every home. What's their point?
2
Putin has the advantage over Trump that the Russian people have never had good government or democracy so he is really just "more of the same." Donald Trump watches every slick move like Putin's and is trying to find a way that he can harness white nationalism so that he too can be president for life.
4
Why is Putin seeking two additional terms in Office? For whose benefit will that be? If he is sincere, Putin should implement free elections in his country. We do not hear of an Opposition in Russia. This is all a one man show, with selfish reasons. To benefit one man. Not the people or the country.
1
It is bad, but not because Putin could be a President for life, but because he makes the exception for himself. Laws are laws, if you applies them selectively, nobody believes in such laws. If he wanted to have more time in power, he should just change the Constitutions, not to bend rules to fit him.
1
Putins actions will be admired and congratulated by Trump. Why? Same emergency executive emergency order Trump will try and backed up by his henchmen from Pence to the Supreme Court. With Biden there’s hope. With Sanders hopeless.
6
This is Trump's playbook. With Barr's backing, he will attempt the same thing here. Count on it.
13
OK, Putin, Netanyahu, Erdogan and Trump. Lifetime tenure is the goal of all of them. Let their countries be damned. And we wonder why the world is in the mess it is in. Even water moves.
9
Who said it first?: "Resistance is futile"
“ The president is the guarantor “of the security of our state, of its internal stability — its internal, evolutionary stability,” Mr. Putin said.”
Sadly, with the rise of the Imperial Presidency, particularly by single-minded partisans, many Americans have similarly attached far too worship for and adulation of our own chief executive, thinking of the office holder as the very embodiment of our government, the one before who pm all knees shall bend.
Let this type of thinking, and the actions of Putin, Xi and others Trump “admires”, be a warning to us all. While Trump really “may” be joking about three or more terms, many of his most devoted sycophants are not.
9
No one should be shocked to read this news. It's sad that, in the 21st century, heads of state are still adhering to a supposed mandate to rule their country for the rest of their lives.
2
I watch Russian TV a lot. There is a new middle class that didn't exist 30 years ago. I get the impression (not having visited Russia) that they just don't care about the politics. They have some money, nice apartments and nice cars and good food. They will never go to war. Again, the politics are good for them. They hosted the Olympics, Formula1 every year. To the average Russian it's a lot better than it was 25 years ago.
2
This is real power take over Putin is a KGB monster. And Trump had said he might stay a third term . We are trouble with Trump. You can see the affinity for Putin an the cagey. friendship. Trump recently referred to himself as king. It's a plot. Trumps attitude towards NATO is related to his Putin romance. Ukraine too after Russia re took the port a potential Nato base to protect a retake of the former USSR which is a Putin goal related to the election meddling in many nationsand US!. Even with the election ahead you know that Trump, Pence, the GOP and the US Supreme Court in his pocket leaves the countless painfull challenges tom the results as a possible reality. In 2016 he said "he'd accept election results if he won". Get it kids. This is a big struggle ahead for the US, fo democracy and all while "Rome burns" meaning the climate crisis worsened with him at the helm and no diplomacy.
6
The US messed up big time when the Berlin Wall fell. We let the Russian economy fail instead of trying to help a budding democracy. The result of our failure is Putin.
6
Donald Trump is going to feel obligated to do the same thing. After all, he can’t disappoint is mentor and hero, not to mention, his master.
4
I am reading half the comments here are about Trump .... that is so American centered. All we care about is us, who cares about Russia? That’s sad.
And people think that almost all of the jerks in DC are devious and power hungry - and have lots of chutzpah.
Our pols are rank amateurs compared to the Russians.
6
It will be difficult to project how such a tenure will affect the corruption and the oligarchy.. But indeed, his extended tenure might be more stable than any evident alternative.
1
Well, that's one way to prevent being hung from a hydro pole by the people you have repressed, killed and stolen from.
3
Putin's plans may unravel when the world discovers that the coronavirus was cooked up in GRU labs. In Russia, free mass vaccinations are conducted according to the National Calendar of Prophylactic Immunizations, established by the Ministry of Health. This year, coronavirus antibodies were mixed into the regular influenza vaccine, which explains how Russia has the lowest number of infections per capita in the world.
1
"Mr. Putin will have held the nation’s highest office for 32 years, longer than Stalin but still short of Peter the Great, who reigned for 43 years."?
Putin is nominally the president of Russia--that's the "office" he technically holds, although he's essentially a dictator.
Peter the Great was a czar! As hereditary ruler--for life!--He held no "office" in any sense of that term. KIngs, monarchs, and czars don't "hold offices" --that's supposed to refer to some sort of democratic or nomination process.
Poor writing, somehow equating the "office" of a president with a czar and a totalitarian dictator.
2
"Dictator weighs decision of whether or not to remain dictator"
6
Why not save time and just ask Putin if he thinks it would be a good idea if he was Dictator for Life?
3
Hopefully, some reporter will ask Trump about this effort of Putin's while Trump is in front of cameras...
4
Now wait till SCOTUS mulls annulling elections and creating an electoral college of 1
4
yes, Darth! the constitutional court can be reconstituted....
1
“No one is saying Mr. Putin will run again in 2024 But the possibility of doing so must exist for the head of state in order to maintain stability in society.” one lawmaker said.
Otherwise, people will panic and rush out to buy up all the toilet paper.
1
My Russian friends note that the date of the plebiscite on amendments to the Constitution will be on April 22, Lenin's birthday.
In this connection, the joke is that Putin is now saying: "Ленин Подвинься!" (Lenin, move over!). In other words, he wants to share the Mausoleum with Vladimir Ilyich.
3
“I got next!” - Don Con.
4
Hand it to Putin, the guy knows how to win. Sorry, Donny, he won you too.
6
BRUTUS.
Another general shout?
I do believe that these applauses are
For some new honours that are heap’d on Caesar.
CASSIUS.
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs, and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves.
[Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2]
2
"I have every right to ignore term limits!"
Does this statement express the views of:
A) Vladimir Putin?
B) Kim Jong-Un?
C) Recep Tayyip Erdogan?
D) Rodrigo Duterte?
E) Andrzej Duda?
F) Donald Trump?
G) All of the above?
(Hint: You don't really need a hint do you?)
10
Long live Czar Vladimir, successor to the Romanovs!
Putin is the bane of civilization. Trump is one of Putin's toys. Putin is Trump's idol.
The US has decided it's whatever Russia wants us to be. Dumb, distracted, immature and immoral.
4
Who ME? Oh really, YOU REALLY REALLY LOVE ME?
Poor people of Russia, in 1917 you overthrew the Romanovs’ 300 year rule, and you cannot rid yourself of a heinous grifting gnome born of the gutter, who has cast your nation adrift into one long poison festival of biological warfare with SARS, Ebola, Polonium and Novichok just to name a few of his evil queen elixirs used recently on the world stage.
Just think, he cannot live eternally, no one EVER does, except perhaps a virus...and he is SO not even worthy of that lowly creature of death.
6
this is actually good news. with putin in control there will be nothing done to improve russia's economy which is moribund and getting worse. and now with the oil price war in full swing there will be even less foreign exchange to prop up his government. what the US needs to do is subsidize the shale oil industry so that it can take away as much market share from russia as is possible and drive its economy into the ground.
3
That’s a pitiful idea. It Putin , not Russia who should be held responsible.
This move was the major reason I was never voting for Bloomberg even if it meant a second Trump term. What Bloomberg did is no different in kind (only in degree) than what Putin has and continues to do. It’s unacceptable under any circumstances. You must leave when your term is up. It’s fundamental to democracy. It’s sad Russian democracy never really went anywhere. We must be vigilant in protecting ours which has been under much stress since Trump and the next step is voting Trump out of office.
6
Putin seems to be a big influence on Trump and should disaster strike again and Trump wins a second term it would be no surprise if he attempted to go for a third term, While term limits in general do not seem to be a great idea term limits on the president has made a lot sense and when it comes to a president like Trump term limits make even more sense. There seem to be millions of American and entire system of right wing media fighting for authoritarian rule as if the views of the founders of the US can be discarded at will while still saluting the American flag and pretending there were no contradictions.
7
Wait, wait, trump will be doing the same because he is a genius leader and doesn't want to be shown up by putin. This is just how dictators operate.
5
Well, I think we all know one American that will not criticize this.
Proud Republicans?
Proud Americans?
Proud citizens worldwide of free democracies?
Pity we are so resigned to it all in our "new normal".
Historians will be unkind to us in the coming decades.
Shame.
2
"Brazen"? Not by Russian standards. The Cold War still rages, no matter what fantasy we would like to entertain. The KGB and its cronies run Russia. That will likely never change. No need to treat them nice.
3
This must have been a really tough call for Vladimir Putin. Whether or not to support an end to term limits for himself. Undoubtedly, he agonized over this decision for a long, long time. (Before putting a gun to anyone's head who would oppose it)
4
If trump is re-elected he will try something like this.
6
Of course. Anyone who expects anything different is in another world smoking too much weed. Putin will be Russia;s president until he's either in the ground, or a glass case next to Lenin. No real news here.
4
Our new Xi of China.
2
Is this a preview of things to come in the United States? Or will it serve as cautionary example? The chance that the 2020 election in this country may be the last free election we ever have has never been higher. Thanks to the GOP, Donald Trump is only one election away from becoming President for Life. So vote accordingly!
5
If the courts grant Putin's obsession to be reelected beyond the constitutional limits it will be a sad verdict for the Russian people. Under Putin Russia is left solely as a strong nuclear-armed entity and a fossil fuel powerhouse that only benefits its political leadership and its oligarchs. The few international cultural impacts it had even during the Soviet era are largely gone. Its once great sports supremacy has succumbed to drug cheating scandals. Its best intellectuals, as well as a flourishing scientific and technical community has long migrated to the west, leaving Russia to be reduced to a prodding, uninspiring and weak economic country predicted to be falling further back in the 2020's. Russia's GDP falls a bit behind to that of New York State, and way behind California and Texas, all which with substantially smaller populations. Under Putin there is little hope to improve the living standards of its people, it may well become worse.
4
Hypothetical: trump narrowly loses 2020 election, then introduces evidence that Michigan dems were frauds. Asks his handpicked Supreme Court to rule, which ends up in his favor. Perfect and repeat for third term, when courts will be stacked in conservatives favor. Then do what FDR did. Run for a fourth but by this time should have all news and courts completely compromised. Hail Cesar.
3
Putin’s elevation was spectacular. His promise to shield Boris Yeltsin (and cronies) from corruption prosecution ultimately brought him here. Putin has left no leader of standing in place to protect him once he is out of office. He has no choice but to die as Russia’s dictator.
4
Perhaps like the DNC, Putin decided that no worthy candidates can be placed before the voters.
2
Why not just have an election where Putin is the only one who gets to vote? It's just as absurd. And just as ridiculous.
What is transparently obvious is that Putin is, and has been, the sole dictator of Russia since the day he took office.
Something which the GOP, with the help of Donald Trump, has been dreaming about for this country since the advent of Ronald Reagan.
Is there a single person in this country that as a single iota of doubt that Trump would not hesitate for one second to make himself a dictator for life if given half a chance? Well, the GOP is doing everything in it's power, right now, to make sure he has that chance.
If Trump and the GOP had their way, 2020 would be the last election ever held in this country. And that's not speculation or hyperbole - that is a FACT.
4
Wake-up, AMERICA. This is what Trump has in store for you, either while he's still alive and tweeting -- or afterwards with Ivanka and Jared taking his place.
VOTE!
5
"It can't happen here
It can't happen here
I'm telling you, my dear
That it can't happen here..."
God Bless Zappa
4
The end of term limits is the tombstone that rests on the grave of every form of government based on self-rule. Just as it is the flag that waves over every dictators empire.
BTW: What are the Vegas odds that Trump will try to get rid of term limits after he steals the next election? A thousand dollar bet would probably net you approximately one plug nickle. Which is exactly what the Constitution will be worth if/when he gets away with it.
1
Russia has always been governed by a Tsar. Why should anything change?
3
And, on this side of the ocean, Mr. Trump gazes upon the spectacle with envy . . . if only, if only . . .
2
You know that Trump is having someone draw pictures of the article for him.
3
Why Russians tolerate his criminal enterprise baffles me. Their economy tanked, their global prestige is gone, and he keeps sending them into intractable conflicts in countries around the world. Are they all too scared of his goons? Or do they really think that having a criminal spymaster as their leader is good for the country?
2
Russia has many enemies, including the most pernicious of them all - so called liberal globalists in the West which is simply imperialism in modern clothes. It therefore makes sense for Russians to have a strong leader at the helm to guide the nation; and not backslide into chaos and misery as they did during the Yeltsin era.
Just declare yourself Tsar already. Vladimir I. No one would be shocked and Russians would applaud. Or pretend to.
Literally speaking a "revolution" means to turn 360 degrees. To end up right where you started, in other words.
Just call yourself Tsar already and you'll have completed the Russian "revolution".
4
@ThomasH It's what he's long wanted, "to restore the Glory of Russia" which means his own wealth and high living.
1
That is up to the Russian people to decide who they want to be their president. It looks like they like Putin well enough, so why not?
This will a very inspiring event for Trump, Mitch and, Barr. No wonder Vladimir is Donald's hero. What would be the excuse to amend our Constitution? Coronavirus, recession, changing type of government?
Trump will not be orange any more. Envy will turn him green.
4
This should not surprise anyone.
1
Kleptocrats leave office in chains or a body bag. He'll run the clock as long as possible. A revolution is called for but I doubt it will happen. Between Putin's elimination of anyone who might lead an uprising and the their cultural affinity for Czar-types the Russian sheeple will likely shrug and carry on.
1
And that's what Trump wants too.
2
because ... if he loses power he may be jailed ....
but that couldn't happen in this country...
3
If trump could spell the word, he would "emulate" Putin.
4
I have not read this article yet but I will. I've been too busy reading Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekov, Gorky, Pushkin, Solzhenitsyn, Pasternak, etc. And listening to Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Rimsky Korsakov, Hvorostovsky, Nebrebko, etc. I would like to hear from Russians/Russian Americans and their thoughts on Putin and present day Russia.
3
He won't leave, voluntarily, until he dies.
1
Are we talking about Putin or Trump?
4
I must say, this is merely a small news article, and is certainly none of our business.
1
Imagine a typical day in the Russian autocrat’s life: Whom do I jail, purge, internally deport, compromise, torture, intimidate, impoverish, and/or “eliminate” today? What fun, eh Vladimir?
1
Trump is watching Putin -- and taking NOTES...
4
Go Putin!!! It’s not no other countries business how a country is governed inside! The Western countries especially Uncle Sin should stop meddling and dictating how other countries are governed! All the US does is spread lies, propaganda and fake news! Mayor Bloomberg was mayor of New York for 3 terms. He was only supposed to be a two term mayor but he switched the law to push his agenda!
Trump loves power
That's why Trump envies Putin
3
If Putin was genuine in wanting power in Russia to be less personified in himself, he would begin to delegate more, involve more people in decision-making, promote others as worthy successors, and build himself out of the power structure.
All that is easily doable in four years - when his term expires.
I find it sadly humorous that Mr. Troianovski and Co. keep beating a dead horse: Mr. Putin's term in office. The proposed Constitutional changes have many more important aspects to it.
For example, if changes are approved by the Constitutional Court and the people, there will be a guarantee that no Russian worker will be paid below a living wage, retirees will have their pensions indexed no less than annually, etc. On the political front: major power shift is slated to go to the Russian Duma (Parliament), and the President will be divested of some of his/her powers. The proposed changes also give more power and independence to the Russian judiciary. Perhaps most important are the series of proposals that will streamline the relationships between the federal and local governmental entities.
Ethnic minorities, for the first time, will have their right to linguistic and cultural traditions guaranteed on the constitutional level. And, on the cultural level Russia, that is the home of four deistic religions, will confirm that marriage is an act between between a man and a woman.
In all, over 700 changes were proposed by the Committee charged with amending the Constitution. Valentina Tereshkova's amendment is just one of them, and probably not the most important one to most Russians.
This is really no surprise, and as Brian Gasser points out, not unheard of in Russia (and many other places). It would be nice if Russia adopted periodic elections as their means to replace rulers, but that does not guarantee a better tsar than the present one (there may be such creatures, but they would hardly be elected).
Trump must be SO envious. I love the part about Russia's Constitutional Court must approve. Does anybody seriously think they're going to say 'no' to Putin?
Not unless they want a nice polonium cocktail.🍸💫
16
Lenin is forever alive.
4
Once Fox News covers this, you'll be able to hear the tiny gears in Trump's gourd commence to grind.
COVID-19, martial law, president for life. They're probably already making PFL hats.
19
Did Trump hear about this?
2
Trump is jealous.
4
Genius of the Urals has no urges to serve the nation beyond the year 2024. However, if the good citizens or Russia are begging him to work as the head of state for the best interests of the people and the country, he might - whatever reluctantly - reconsider and be available for the common good.
2
@Markku
Please, show us where that 'begging' is taking place where the people doing it are not already A) over the age of 40, and B) not already a member of the government, or the siloviki.
3
Is Trump planning to be his running mate? I'd vote for him ... to go.
2
Putin “agreed” to this legislation is not correct. It should read that the Duma “agreed” with Putin.
4
Wow, what a bold and thoughtful backing of proposed legislation, hmm? Vlad is dedicated to providing continuity and consistency in the Russian Federation. Surprising? Neh. Honorable. Let's say it's "Trumpworthy."
As long as there's a killing to be made for President Putin and his select friends (all of whom have his back, and Russia's wealth, in perpetuity) hardscrabble life in Mother Russia will go on and on and on and on . . .
2
Having gained control over the country's major media, Putin can demonstrate that his prolonged presidency reflects the will of the Russian people.
4
The best news Lukashenko has heard in months, if not years.
1
Wow, a major constitutional change rammed from "spontaneous" legislation to bundled plebiscite in six weeks.
2
Who would have thought?
What a fascinating template for his grand American admirer to make use of...
3
Waiting for Devin Nunes to introduce similar legislation in the House and Lindsay Graham in the Senate.
11
In my opinion this would be a good thing. His temporary advantage in psy-ops will fade as the methods get more exposed and he is really weak otherwise. He fails by almost any real measure. He will keep the Russians down and weak.
The one thing about fascist is they always fail, and they always fail spectacularly. As the real affects of climate change hit, the Russians will be too weak to withstand a real test. That is a good thing. Of course, our own dictator is preparing us in exactly the same way.
Putin is a weakling. Russia is weak. Let's work to keep it that way. It would be great if they embroiled themselves deeper into Syria.
2
Trump's roll models are in office for life.
Trump ordered a purging of his admin eliminating any who may be of questionable loyalty.
This move is to inoculate him from the 25th amendment.
The most dangerous period this country will ever face, should Trump be defeated in Nov, will be the 79 days between election day and Jan 21.
8
So Trump will no doubt congratulate him for this.
1
Guess who will do this next.
3
No wonder Trump admires Putin so much . . . then again "lifetime" for a much younger and fitter Putin probably means a much longer period than it would for a walking health warning like Trump.
1
Would love to hear about Trumps response to his guardian dictator in Russia. Am sure he would love to cancel all future elections here and anoint himself to America’s Supreme Leader.
How would the Evangelical corrupt leadership respond be as they would like to see themselves in that position.
5
Trump will do the same thing.
1
Supreme Leader for Life, what a Great Idea for Great Men.
But, you know, there are bound to be a few little countries who think it's a terrible idea just because they fought a revolution to get rid of kings or dictators, As if anything that mattered happened in 1776 besides the publication of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations in London, where King George III reigned supreme. Now there was a Leader!.
Spoil-sports.
4
So let me get this straight. Putin wants the Russian Constitution to maintain a 2 term limit for the president except for him. Is that correct? Wow!
Putin is quite the wily dictator and the Russian people are fools to buy what Putin is selling. Can you imagine what he will next come up with at the end of the now proposed extended 2 term limit to continue to rule Russia. It will be a good one.
1
And if their "Constitutional Court" does not agree, Putin will have its members killed. Make no mistake, this guy will die as Russia's dictator.
3
Look for trump, barr et al. to pull something similar if trump is reelected. We did not have the two term limit in 1940 or 1944, but we had the tradition, going back to George Washington's statement when some pressed him to run for a third term. FDR (one of the top 3 or 4 presidents of all time, don't misunderstand me) justified his running for third, then fourth terms on exactly the terms Putin is claiming -- needed stability in leadership at a problematic time. Continue government's resolve toward recovery from the Great Depression, and maintain stability in the war effort.
With trump, everything is a crisis, even things that never were, like immigration. Don't expect him to go quietly into the void. He will likely attempt to remain in office in 2021 once defeated. If reelected, he will almost certainly attempt to remain in office in 2025. The Secret Service will have to forcibly remove him, and then what happens?
6
The short-lived, deeply troubling era of the idiosyncratic Trump/Putin mutual defense pact is soon coming to an end. The next Democratic President and Congress will be vigorously challenging the Russian despot on multiple fronts, firmly resisting his brazen efforts at democratic destabilization around the globe. Putin should be careful of what he’s asking for. This further authoritarian overreach by him will not end well, as Russia’s antiquated oil dependent economy sinks further and further into oblivion.
2
No surprise. Putin has always held democracy in contempt, as his administration seeks to undermine it everywhere else. It is simply something useful to make the plebes feel they are participating in the system. But philosophically, the judgement of citizens is not to be trusted. Neither to choose their representatives nor the nation's leadership.
And given what passes for 'leadership' in the WH these days, our reality seems to be making his point quite effectively.
3
In one form or another, Russia will always have a Tsar. The people seem to prefer the central authority of a powerful leader to the rough and tumble of a vigorous democracy.
2
'Mr. Putin said he believed that in the years to come, Russia must develop into a country in which the president changes regularly. '
I like this, very humorous. Apparently, that refers to the time after his death, at age 85 or 90, still as the president, of course, unless he is crippled by a debilitating disease or something at age 80+.
On the other hand, strictly speaking, if that court approves this shenanigan, which of course it will, and if the voters agree in the referendum, then why not? If the Russians are tired of him, they should vote him out. It is not that the voting there is all-rigged all the time. They are not tired of him and the majority of them will gladly see him ruling until 2036. What can you say to that?
Our Supreme Court could as readily vote to ignore the two term limit as they did to ignore the requirement of a Well Regulated Militia.
3
Trump will follow suit if he wins in 2020. He will also follow suit if the loses in 2020. Our president is Putin's understudy.
3
Russia has a long, Long, LONG history of "appearing" to do things as if they're the "normal" things that any government does. So. why would we expect anything different from Putin? It's totally "Russian" to change the rules of the game, any game, in order to suit themselves.
2
Putin is giving Trump the blue print of how not to leave office, even when he loses the election.
5
Gee, who could have seen this coming?
Putin can't retire. After all, who can he count on to protect him once he is out of power, and will happen to all those hundreds of billions he has squirreled away in offshore banks?
We've always known this: Putin's only viable opponent is the Grim Reaper.
4
Certainly not hard to envision Trump and his handlers pulling a stunt like this. In fact, I expect it. He won't go quietly, and his supporters won't stand down.
4
All the more reason to end the regime in the USA before we end up like Russia or Turkey or North Korea. Mr. Putin will continue to meddle in the elections for his personal political benefit. He is being enabled in this by the Republicans, who are benefiting from this act of war. Just because it's a keyboard instead of a drone strike does NOT make it okay.
2
By the end of the week Trump will be musing out loud about finding a way to do the same thing here.
2
No surprise here. After bouncing back and forth between President and prime Minister, Putin has decided that the veneer of legitimacy is unwarranted. Just be President for Life.
2
Why is anyone surprised that Putin wants to keep his hands on power. This seems more the rule than the exception. Looking at the supreme leader of Iran, Castro of Cuba, Maduro of Venezuela, the Kim family of North Korea, and a host of African and Middle East nations, no one quits.
With power comes the wealth of the nation. Most of the globe does not function like the West.
42
@brian gasser
And dig just a foot deep - most of the West does not function like the West...
17
@brian gasser
Certainly Trump doesn't function like the West.
13
@brian gasser
Who said anyone was "surprised"? And the only difference between those dictatorships and this country may be completely erased on Nov 3rd, 2020.
There is ZERO doubt that, if re-elected, Trump's first order of business will be to get rid of term limits. And with the help of a GOP majority in the Senate - he just might be able to do it.
Heck, he's already committed extortion, and the GOP's response was, "So what?!". So, at this point, what are a few term limit specifications going to matter?
9
Like Angela Merkel said about Putin in 2007 when Putin, knowing Merkel was scared of dogs, tried to scare Merkel by letting his dog into the meeting room.
Later, discussing the incident with a group of reporters, Merkel perfectly explained Putin's pathetic behavior.
"I understand why he has to do this — to prove he's a man. He's afraid of his own weakness. Russia has nothing, no successful politics or economy. All they have is this."
https://www.vox.com/2014/12/1/7313443/vladimir-putin-merkel
Putin is a disgraceful dictator, and Daycare Donnie adores him.
13
Enough with the anticipation nonsense... Putin is x-KGB, and he both protects and keep the oligarchs awash in money.. In fairness, his named should be changed to Vladimir Trump..
4
The man in the mustache should not be permitted to run again, to fleece his country again, to undermine democracy, or to do anything again.
@Iced Tea-party
Are you referring to John Bolton?
1
How in tarnation did so many Republicans get elected to the Russian Parliament?
3
"Donald Trump supports new law making Donald Trump President for life", Nov 3rd, 2020.
3
Gosh... do you think someone in our country is watching closely and taking notes?
4
Let's hope that this action does not give our narcissist and chief any ideas of ruling til he dies passing the throne to Princess Ivanka and her consort Prince Jared who are busy cashing in on their presidency.
2
Putin must be showing The Donald the possibilities!
4
Sounds like Idi Amin. But Uganda's "president-for-life" had to convert to Islam and seek sanctuary in Saudi Arabia when his country turned against him, and Putin may have to do something similar. Maybe he and Trump can convert to Judaism and get Netanyahu to put them up?
9
Absolutely disgusting display of fascism. Russians please just honestly admit that you do not live in a democracy.
2
No doubt Putin's poodle, our Dear Orange Leader, is taking inspiration from his example.
3
I would love to read a well documented story about ordinary Russians and how they live. Do they have social programs, are they on their own, do they pay taxes, the cost of living, mimimum wage, goods available to them, freedom of speech, health system, etc.
14
@Welcome Canada
Answers:
NO
Yes
No
Lower than you can imagine
Slave Labor
Many, but too expensive for most
Freedom of speech exists but can't be exercised. Insulting "authority" is a crime that can contort to cover nearly everything anyone says.
Health system? Horrendous at best.
2
@Welcome Canada Some trivia.
The minimum wage is $157 a month as of today. Everyone has a basic government medical insurance. Quality varies significantly: if you are lucky you can get $7000 robotic surgery for free, if not you can get kicked from the GP's office if you came with a mild cold. Moscow is probably the dentistry capital of the world. The quality/price ratio and amount of choice are insane.
In theory everyone has a right to many weeks of paid sick leave and 4 weeks of vacation every year.
There is only one printed newspaper very critical of Putin and no TV channels even mildly critical of him. By contrast freedom of speech on the internet is almost limitless for individuals (there is so much trash talk that in effect one needs to be very unlucky to be singled out and persecuted).
3
Many readers here may be familiar with the constitution, and it’s 22nd amendment, limiting the president to two terms.
But have you read Bill Barr’s summary report of those documents? You may be surprised.
115
@Dan in Orlando
... surprised and appalled, Dan.
14
@Dan in Orlando in February I made a comment here about the possibility that if Trump won in November he would move to eliminate the term(s) limit...and the Times didn’t post it. Too radical an idea then? Not now!
21
@Dan in Orlando
We need term limits for all elected officials. Get them out before they are owned by their supporters and before they decide elected office is a career, not a service. Pelosi and mcConnell are poster children for the need for term limits.
20
It appears that President Putin is just making sure he has all the angles covered to protect himself in the future. He can possibly now run for President again, or ensure that he has a power base in the government with the constitutional changes proposed in January. It's clear he's afraid to just go into retirement because with his knowledge of Russian "past history", he is also aware of the record of vengeful, violent or sudden removals of the country's leadership over the centuries.
63
What impeccable timing - everyone is busy combating the corona virus, while the Russian president keeps dismantling the Russian democracy. They could just put ‘Putin shall be president’ directly in their constitution instead.
100
@Erik There was no Russian "democracy" to begin with. There is no institutional opposition whatsoever to Putin, and never has been.
59
@Erik How can he dismantle something which never existed ?
21
@Erik "Russian democracy"is an oxymoron.
28
Kleptocrats need a retirement plan which doesn’t allow them, in fact, to retire and thus become vulnerable to whatever remains of an already corrupted and hollowed-out “independent” justice system. This, of course, does not only apply to Russia. Has anyone been reading the news out of Washington since 20 January 2017?
58
Sergei Magnitsky died because he stood for something. Remember that Russians.
It wasn’t Putin who defeated Germany
It wasn’t Putin who sent Sputnik into space
It wasn’t Putin who made Russia strong
Putin is nothing in the face of millions and millions of Russians marching on the Kremlin.
March to the Kremlin and restore Russia to its former greatness such as refusing reparations from Japan after WW2.
53
@BJ It was Pres. Putin who took on the oligarchs after the Soviet Union collapsed. Say what you will about the man, Russia was a failed state (hyper inflation, crumbling defense, massive unemployment...) before he took power.
2
@brian gasser
"It was Pres. Putin who took on the oligarchs after the Soviet Union collapsed."
No! Talk about a spin on history! He became one of them, just took on the ones who opposed him and seized their ill-gotten gains for himself - well, really for the state but what's the difference?
Incidentally, the immediate post-soviet oligarchy was created with the active encouragement of Chicago School economists who flocked to Moscow to push the nation into adopting raw capitalism cold-turkey. The overnight shock is what led to hyperinflation, massive unemployment and people starving on the streets. Add in the ill-advised expansion of NATO towards Russia's borders, and I can't think of a better recipe to spawn the rise of an nationalist, authoritarian fascist leader.
20:55 EDT, 3/10
13
And then the fox, who sat on the hen house decision-making board, voted in favor of leaving the hen-house doors open 24/7.
8
I believe NYT can be a little more aggressive in its coverage of Russian politics. Don’t report that Putin supports a bill to keep him in power. Report that Putin has decided that the government will vote to keep him in power as he demanded.
It’s not like he’s even hiding it. Why should you?
24
When was the previous Czar Vladimir? I am just wondering what number this one will be?
3
And that LAW enables Putin's children, or relatives, to continue being Russia's President, too?
What a Parliament!
What a Constitution!
What a Democracy!
What a joke!
1
So, that what his game all along, when a person thinks that he is the only person that could do the job, he’s not longer a servant but a tyrant, in this case it shows also that he is a total corrupt politician no less.
9
@Bert "Only I can save you!" "Make Russia Great Again!"
3
So, done deal.
1
The world will be in danger
5
Putin is running Trump. Just waiting for the smoking gun to come out of Deutsche Bank records, IF SCOTUS follows precedent (not guaranteed anymore)
13
Putin really wants to be appointed Czar, not a limited time constrained elected official.
6
The emperors wannabe moment to pounce. Are we ready for this?
2
Trump might do the same, if he is elected in 2020.
9
@Ven
took the words right out of my mouth. He has already made similar comments about china' s leader staying in power.
6
@Ven Pres. Trump is in his 70s. Doubt he has an interest in staying in office beyond the next term. The Clinton's however seem to have a difficult time staying out of Washington power circles after Bill Clinton departed office.
How incredibly sad for the Russian people that their brief opportunity to become a Democracy was eviscerated. In recent years, the loss of free speech, murder of journalists, and return of an inhumane foreign policy (e.g. Crimea and Syria) are all unfortunate byproducts of Russia's inability to mature. For a country full of so many brilliant minds, it is especially unfortunate that so much potential will be lost to the vicissitudes of one man's ego.
11
This is America's future if the Republicans get their wish.
12
@Steve Acho I thought it was former Democratic Presidential Candidate Mike Bloomberg who used his power and wealth to get the city to change its charter so he could run for a third term? Good try pinning this on Republicans.
@Steve Acho - I believe it's very much an active work-in-progress - final stages in fact. To date, they have mastered voter suppression, whistle-dog politics, gerrymandering, campaign financing . . . almost there!
I can bet my money that our president will publicly support this move by Putin or at the very least keep very quiet about it.
5
This will be Trump if he wins in 2020.
4
Just what Russia DOES NOT need: Putin until death. Another generation of Russians who will never know security or freedom. Those poor people are truly cursed by their history of Oligarchs, almost all of whom use their power to enrich themselves with scarcely a care for their people... How many more centuries will this last?
2
In less than 100 years, Russia has a new tsar, Vladimir Putin! Then like now, the Russian do want to be ruled with an iron fist of an autocrat.
2
In other news, FOX reports that Mitch McConnell has proposed legislation authorizing "Trump Family to rule in perpetuity because it is the will of God."
Right Christians?
Pun intended.
16
Putin is finishing his 4th term as president. But when you have already trampled the spirit of the Constitution of your country for the sake of power, what holds you back of doing it once more?
Remember that Putin is a role model for Le Pen, Salvini, Trump...
7
What else could be expected from a land that has NEVER tasted anything close to open, fair and free elections in it's entire history? The Russians love authoritarians, and why? They know nothing else.
7
By the way, this is also "rule of law" for those who clamor this nonsense slogan as justification for bad actions that restrict liberty, give benefits to special interests, give negative taxes and punishments to those in the out group.
2
The fact that Putin showed up in the Duma himself is clear indication that it's a done deal and that managed democracy has triumphed again. Do not expect to see Russians on the streets. Onward to 2036!
2
Russians remain some of most persecuted, oppressed people in world.
Traveling through world, images of Russia’s antiquated cities stand out as starkly gray, cold, ugly, austere,depressed and restrictive.
Russian people reflect the oppressive architecture and stifling, repressive urban areas which are unimaginative, primarily restrictive
concrete architecture from the 50’s.
The isolated, oppressive cities appear as walled prisons of the Russians’ minds, as harshly restrictive, threatening enclosures reflecting CORRUPT Putin’s “vice like” hold on ALL Russians, void of communication and free movement, while corrupt, murderous Putin flaunts his unbridled corruption, demagoguery, and oppression of Russian people.
EVIL, oppressor, “dictator” Putin robs his people of their freedom, their livelihood, their individuality, their future while amassing billions for himself and his corrupt oligarchic buddies, who steal from poor Russians, and move their STOLEN billions $$ themselves OUTSIDE of Russia, while Russians remain oppressed. Physically and mentally challenged and threatened.
20
@Hopeful
Well, commieblocks are a relic of the time when USSR needed a lot of simple housing after WWII. After that they just stuck there, yes. And most of the population are content with having $300-400 bucks month salary, an apartment and a tiny garden house. Their minds are STUCK in this stability, they are happy! They don't feel oppressed! It even can be argued that this income and prosperity level is higher than that of bottom 90% of India population (if one forgets that almost all of this is due to oil, gas and what remains from Soviet times).
Putin's greatest 'achievement' is finding the aformentioned income level so that people don't bother him much.
3
@Hopeful
I often engage in this "bad architecture, bad people" debate with myself and although it seems that it's true, the inverse isn't. For example, the current Penn Station = bad people. However, good architecture does not necessarily make good people. Watching the impeachment hearings, we got to see the interior of the Capitol, a truly gorgeous structure. The materials and craftsmanship involved are exemplary but to see Mitch McConnell and his henchmen defile it as they shuffled through its halls turned my stomach.
No big surprise here.
Putin is intelligent, methodical, feared and dangerous.
All we could come up with in this country is a game show host -who has got the dangerous part worked out all right , but I can just see 'Little hands' seething, ..nay, ...frothing at the mouth with envy.
26
@J J Davies Putin is so afraid he can't even step down lest bad things happen to him. Tyrants pretend to be strong, but they are all just afraid of giving up their power to control others.
5
Gee whiz commenters!
Read the constitution
It would take an amendment and that is very difficult to do
Relax on this subject but worry about Putin
7
@Steve Ell
Trump gives the dog whistle calls to his so-called tough guy supporters all the time about keeping him in office indefinitly by force of arms.
6
Are you referring to the document that includes how to remove an unfit president?
Or due process during impeachment?
Or the actual role of the senate?
We should not dismiss the danger of a Trump re-election.
2
Presidential term limits
The 22nd Amendment
2
We can expect the same sort of announcement from Trump any day now.
11
Not a chance than that would happen here
@Bert
And if it does? Will you be our protesting in the streets with the rest of us, or will you just accept it because Trump is such a "stable genius" who would never break the law, flaunt the constitution, or tell a lie?
6
@Bert: I used think there would be no chance we'd hold an impeachment trial without calling people with first hand knowledge as witnesses too... but it happened.
3
Will Trump, who admires and trusts Putin, use him as a role model?
7
China, Russia, Saudi Arabia — none of them democracies — conspire to bring down Western Democracy.
5
Today's choreography in Moscow is almost beyond parody. In paraphrase Putin's message: we have a constitution and a commitment to democracy and sometime after I'm not around, it may actually come to pass.
In the past, Putin at least pretended that he was constrained by the Constitution - backseating himself to primeminister nominally under President Medvedev - after his first two terms as President.
Some questions:
1/ what are the "foreign and domestic threats to the state’s stability" which necessitate this constitutional coup?
2/ what kind of Constitutional Court is it that can be relied on to ignore a basic Constitutional provision such as a two term Presidential limit?
“No one is saying” Mr. Putin will run again in 2024. Yeah right. Wake up Russia.
6
I'm suddenly gald Trump doens't read the NY Times. He doesn't need this idea planted in his head.
12
@Erich Richter He was already talking about unlimited terms years ago when asked by the press. He made it like a joke but we know he'd love to.
4
@Erich Richter
it's already there and he has referenced it several times in the last few years.
4
If Trump wins, he'll try this and if he has his lemmings in congress, he'll succeed. Delightful, eh?
21
@Michael Kennedy So, I think we should be working for and contributing to Democrats in Senate races. That's what my wish is for November -- a congressional "wall" against Trump's nonsense, in case he is re-elected.
2
I don’t imagine anyone in Russia expected anything else.
23
@Rob Brown Yes, once turned in the sheep that full state control provides over time, you can't even imagine what liberty or equal protection mean, much like so many Americans these days that think government provides for their special interests because they have some need/want/greed/envy.
Egads! Exactly the playbook trump has in mind. With McConnell being his tool in the Senate, it actually seems possible. Voters, we cannot take any chances. Get him out of office in November. Flip the majority in the Senate. Democrats unite! Independents and right-thinking Republicans join us. Our democracy is at stake.
76
@Carla There is no question it is unconstitutional. It would essentially have to be a coup.
3
@Sparky
Understood. However with this Supreme Court is its being upheld a certainty? Especially if trump gets to name one more justice during his second term.
4
And the results of the next two presidential elections are already known.
12
What is the point in running at all if you are just going to engineer whatever law you want to ensure you are able to stay in power?
9
This looks more like a déjà vu for us in Sénégal. Our current president is on his last term, but with the tricky changes he made to our constitution not so long ago, he dared telling to the entire republic that he cannot give a clear answer as to whether he plans to run for a third term after he was asked on national TV, during his NYE address. Our modified constitution only allows two consecutive terms of five years. Since those changes were made during his first terms, some argue that he might base his propaganda on the fact that to this day, only one term is to be counted(which is the current one). A shame, because he knows better not to lead this beautiful country to civil war.
8
Trump’s dream.
Then, not even a coronavirus could stop him.
16
@Grove
A virus could stop him because a virus doesn’t care if he remains in power or not.
6
In America in 2020, a government that works for all of the people and does what is best for a strong, vibrant culture and society is considered left wing extremism.
Ronald Reagan’s dream has been realized.
I doubt that we would be as divided as we are now if our “representatives” had lived up to their oath of office.
Their “mission statement” was pretty clearly aid out in the Preamble to the Constitution:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. . . “, but has been largely ignored.
While Sanders is definitely a patriot and wants to return to the America envisioned by the founders, his method is too reminiscent of Trump’s, and people are starved for calm.
Sanders loves democracy, and Trump loves dictatorship.
Hopefully Biden has learned from past mistakes, would surround himself with real patriots, and avoid a continuation of the corporate, neoliberal quagmire of the last 40 years.
14
@Grove Sanders is a tyrant, wanting to take from some to give to another because he has the best plans on how to use other people's money to benefit his voter base, effectively buying voters and loyalty by stealing from others.
3
@David
Kind of like how Republicans do for the rich?
9
@David
just like 45 giving a payroll reduction
1
I think it's funny how you say he could be president until 2036. He absolutely and without a doubt will be president until 2036.
And the Trump-team certainly takes notes.
31
I re-read the 22nd amendment, and I can see how this might play out. It only prohibits a person from being elected to the office of president after two terms. It doesn't prevent someone who has already served two terms from becoming president some other way.
For instance, in 2024, Trump could run as VP under a Pence-Trump ticket, but publicly campaign with the promise that Pence would resign on day 1. Then, when Trump becomes president again, he gets to pick his VP, which will be, of course, Pence.
This could theoretically continue every 4 years, indefinitely, so long as the voters are willing to oblige. Or, once Trump achieves tight enough control over the Supreme Court, he can blatantly argue to the Court that the two-term limit doesn't apply to him, and they will do whatever he says.
15
@Eric
12th amendment
"But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States".
Many think that this prevents a two term POTUS from being a VP even though this amendment came well before the 22nd,
5
@Brian Ah, I missed that. Thanks for pointing it out.
2
Naturally Trump will try hard to accomplish the same thing if he's re-elected. I'd bet McConnell would be open to it.
45
@mark, that's the difference between Republicans and Democrats. Biden should pick Barack Obama as his VP.
7
@mark
Yes, anything the GOPhers can do to remain in power will be on the plate for Mitch to shepherd through the Senate. Vote Blue, no matter who!
5
As Maddow pointed out one night, it took Putin only 4 years to secure his lifetime leadership.
48
@Jane The Russians were sheep after many decades of central planning, of being told how to act, of being told where the money goes without regard to earnings or liberty or equal protection under the law, of falling for the nonsense of "rule of law," of thinking authority over them is normal. This is what America has been training its people for as well, it's why we have never-ending elections and never-ending pandering of free stuff to business or people (special interests).
This should not come as a surprise. You can't quit the mafia. Putin has to retain power because gangster retirements often don't go well. Trump has the same problem -- which is why he's not entirely kidding when he muses out loud about staying in office past two terms.
44
For all the news of how clever Putin really is and how determined he is to go down in history as a great Russian leader just take a look at a globe. See that landmass that is nearly twice the size of the second largest country in the world? The one that stretches from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea to the Bearing Sea? With all this real estate and the current favorable state of globalization Putin inherited in his so-far tenure his country has a GDP equal to South Korea, a country 100 times smaller. So for all the intrigue and scheming and KGB cold-war tactics he has, really, done nothing for Russia. Russia in the hands of a real leader would have a GDP of, say Europe, and be a thriving center of technology, culture and world-leading ideas. Instead it is still a back-water gulag run by modern day hedgehog and a hand-full of oligarchs. Not so impressive, really.
363
I certainly think you have a point, and the whole of Russia’s GDP is actually smaller than the Nordic countries combined (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Baltic states) - whereas the Nordic countries has between 25-30 million citizens, Russia has close to 150 million. But your statement that Russia really should have the same GDP as ‘Europe’ is a bit unrealistic - Europe has over half a billion people and includes major world economies as Germany, France, UK, Italy and Spain. Also half of Russia is technically European (the border usually is placed at the Ural mountain range). If you just mean the EU Russia would still under no political leader - however skillful - be able to compete economically with the EU. But I appreciate your general sentiment.
35
@Mika Rekkinen
In my opinion he's done less than nothing for his country. He's made it almost completely dependent on oil revenue, chased a good deal of tech talent out of the country, and started unending conflict all around his borders which wastes far too much money. Mobocracy is never a good idea. I hope our country soon realizes that, as well.
86
@Mika Rekkinen
Russia is a center of world-leading ideas: fake news, conspiracy theories, hybrid warfare...
It is also a centre of technology: nuclear power, weapons, computer hacking...
It is a center of culture:, in its own way: corruption, self-dealing...Russian leaders have always found ways to incorporate new people and territories into Russia, with mass deportations, purges, gulags...
36
This is just preposterous...
I actually thought that he would step out.
2
@Anton It's his worst fear according to multiple sources. He knows he'll undoubtedly be murdered. So he won't step down and will do anything in his power to remain in his bogus office.
3
March 5, 2018 "Donald Trump spoke highly about China’s president Xi Jinping at a party fundraiser at his Mar-a-Lago resort and applauded his country’s new term limits. “He’s now president for life. President for life. No, he’s great. And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot some day,” the president said.
36
I guess Putin decided that being the “eminence grise” that he thought of earlier wasn’t going to work out.
5
Please don't give Trump any ideas.
Vote in November like your lives depend on it.
204
Because they do!
19
@R Rogers That is already his idea...that is precisely what he intends to do.
5
@R Rogers
Yeah, I'm pretty sure they knew how 2020 was going to turn out a few years back.
They have been thinking. "trump" can't leave because he would be jailed. He's not going to let that ever happen.
2
Shock.
5
"...the legislation would still have to be approved by Russia’s Constitutional Court and in a nationwide plebiscite in April."
Does anyone really think that the Russian Constitutional Court would vote against vlad, the poisoner, putin?
Not a chance.
53
@Pataman That they have to approve it means just that. They have to approve it, they don't have a choice.
1
i have been a little worried that trump might try something like this, but it really is unlikely - the 22nd amendment to the constitution limits a president's time in office to two terms with a maximum of 10 years if the president assumed the office of the prior president's term with less than two years to go.
that doesn't mean a dictator couldn't try something shady and i wouldn't put it past trump - but an amendment can only happen when proposed by two thirds of the the state legislatures at a constitutional convention or passed by two thirds of the House and the Senate.
i feel much better now having looked up the facts.
55
The Constitution says a lot of things.
But if we've learned anything these last four years, the Constitution is only as good as the other two branches of government.
125
@Steve Ell There is no possibility that Trump could run for another term in 2024 without clearly violating the Constitution.
But whether those who support the rule of law and the constitution would prevail is the real question.
4
We may be next. And I'm not joking.
142
@Scientist:
don't think he hasn't dreamed of this. And the Foxfolks will beat the drums.
22
@Scientist I do believe it would start a civil war. That's not to say Trump wouldn't try it, he might, but the pushback would be enormous. Ultimately, and as surreal as it is to write this, it may depend on who the military supports.
6
@Sparky - it always depends on who the military supports.
3
If "parliament" hadn't "passed" a "law," Putin wouldn't have stepped down. Putin doesn't "run," he's a dictator.
Every word in that headline is nonsense.
200
Surprise, surprise, surprise. And Trump wants to emulate Putin. Again: surprise, surprise, surprise!!
88
Not surprising in the least. And this is also why I’m afraid if Trump is elected in 2020 there won’t be another real election in 2024. All his role models are doing it.
183
@BRR
LOL, 2016 wasn't a real election. 2020 "results" have probably already been determined. Will be interesting to see how much "trump's" ego will make those "results" eye-rollingly pukeworthy.
He's not leaving. You can tell by his body language. There is a whole next ugly chapter to this. It's going to get pretty awful around here.
3