Interfax reported Thursday that Russia would hold its next presidential election on March 9, 2008, according to the central electoral commission chairman Alexander Veshnyakov.However, by Russian law the election cannot be held on March 9 as that day follows March 8, which is a public holiday in Russia, the Vedomosti newspaper wrote Friday citing CEC member Yelena Dubrovina. Veshnyakov was unavailable for comment.
Gazeta newspaper wondered why the date had been announced by Veshnyakov whereas by law the day is to be set by the upper house of the Russian parliament — the Federation Council, which is to announce its decision not earlier than 100 days and not later than 90 days before the vote, i.e. between Dec 1 and Dec 10 2007.
Sounds a bit of a furphy. While it seems the man wasn’t thinking when he spoke and there also seems no political capital to be made out of the strange announcement, nevertheless, it continues the speculation and keeps the election on the front page. There are a lot of people wondering what Putin has up his sleeve for next year, given that he's leaving his own [at the moment unconstitutional] run a bit late.
I'm wondering too what Putin will do next year, whether he will change the constitution to allow him to run again, or take another top job in the country. So, who do you think will succeed Putin, James?
ReplyDeleteEllee, of course what I think matters little but the word from two reasonably placed people today was that:
ReplyDelete1] Putin won't run;
2] either Ivanov or Medvedev are the front runners;
3] the loser will be dirty on Putin.