MOSCOW, August 18 (RIA Novosti) - Sergei Mironov, Speaker of the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, told a Moscow press conference Thursday that he was vehemently opposed to amending the constitution in order to extend the presidential tenure, currently limited to two four-year terms.
Mironov said President Vladimir Putin, whose second presidential term ends in 2008, also objects to changing the law to allow for two consecutive reelections.
"No one needs such a favor," he said. "In 2008, Russia will have a new president. But having said that, I'm perfectly certain that Vladimir Putin will remain a very popular politician for years to come."
