Russia： I don’t want Putin to finish class by the hour.

　　　　　

[Content at a glance]On October 18, when answering questions from domestic people, Putin affirmed: "In 2008, there will be a new owner in the Kremlin." Recently, from top to bottom, from officials to the people, Russia’s voice of retaining Putin has been "one after another".

　　　　Article 81 of the Russian Constitution stipulates that "the same person shall not serve as President of the Russian Federation for more than two consecutive times". Putin was elected president for the first time in March 2000, re-elected in 2004 and will step down in 2008. According to the current constitution, Putin will officially leave the presidency in May 2008. Putin himself has repeatedly said on different occasions that he will "finish class" by clicking. On October 18 this year, when answering questions from domestic people, Putin affirmed: "In 2008, there will be a new owner in the Kremlin." However, recently, the voices of Russia to retain Putin from top to bottom, from officials to the people, and from the central government to the local government have been "one after another".

　　　　　

On October 18th, in Moscow, the Russian capital, Russian President Vladimir Putin listened to people’s questions during the program. Xinhua news agency

　　　　　Russia will not enter the "post-Putin era"

　　　 People gather to stay in Putin

　　　　In recent weeks, large-scale street activities have been launched all over Russia to support Putin’s re-election as president. Parliaments all over the country have issued appeals one after another, urging the President to continue to be the actual leader of the country after the expiration of his term in 2008. The scale, number of people, wide geographical area and high voice of this round of "retention" activities are also thought-provoking.

　　　　According to statistics, only from October 23rd to 30th, similar gatherings were held in Volgograd, Kamchatka Petropavlovsk, Grozny, Pskov, Novosibirsk, Magadan and other major cities. People held photos of Putin in their hands and wore shirts that read "Putin is our choice", demanding that Putin stay in office.

　　　　The reporter found that within one day, only three local councils in the Ural Federal District passed an appeal for the president to remain in power. Councillors of Hante-Mansi Autonomous Region wrote in the appeal: "The current president’s policy has achieved remarkable results: the economic growth rate is unheard of in the past 30 to 40 years, and the national priority projects and population policies have been put into practice. This is the largest’ personal’ investment plan in contemporary Russian history, which has brought about the improvement of living standards … As a big country, Russia’s international prestige has been restored, and it can defend its own interests and maintain global stability. The most important thing is that President Putin’s policies have helped people to believe in themselves and the country, and have regained the honor of the motherland and confidence in tomorrow … "

　　　　The actions of the residents of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Region are the most striking. They drafted an open letter to Putin at the rally in New Ullengoi. About 2,000 people attended the rally. They not only showed their attitude towards Putin, but also set up an all-Russian movement to "support Putin". In another letter to all Russian citizens, there is the following paragraph: "We hope that the reforms currently carried out by the President and guaranteed by his thoughtful and constructive policies will continue in the future. The realistic achievements of our country’s development, like his great contribution, are obvious to all, and he has the ability to make state power institutions operate effectively for the well-being of citizens. We are gathered here to say that today the country has its own leader-Putin … "

　　　　　Officials expressed their position to leave Putin.

　　　　In addition to the "retention" of the people, Russian officials at all levels have also asked Putin to "lead everyone to continue." On October 26th, mironov, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council (Speaker of the House of Lords), publicly stated: "Russian President Vladimir Putin should find a way to keep him as president after his term of office expires in 2008, because the Russian people want him to stay."

　　　　Not long ago, Chechen President Kadyrov said that Putin should remain in the post of Russian President and consider serving for life. In an interview with reporters, Kadyrov said: "If Russia is to maintain its current stable development and become a world power again, Putin should continue to serve as president. Since the presidents of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and other countries can serve for life, why not Russia? " Kadyrov said: "As long as Putin’s health permits, we should do our best to keep him. It is very difficult to choose a successor for Putin. In charge of a country like Russia, not everyone has the same ability as Putin. Even if Putin leaves office, his policies will still be implemented. " Kadyrov made no secret of his admiration for Putin. He said, "Putin is a hero who saved Chechnya and gave the Chechen people a second life. He also saved Russia. He is a gift from God to Russia. "

　　　　Regarding whether Putin will remain in office, matviyenko, the mayor of St. Petersburg, once said bluntly: "Putin’s third consecutive election as president will be the guarantee of national stability." Many Russian local chief executives have also come forward to demand constitutional amendments and support Putin to remain president, among which die-hard supporters include Moscow Mayor Luzhkov and others. Others advocate changing the term of office of the president to seven years.

　　　　　　Political parties offer advice to stay in Putin

　　　　In mid-October this year, Boris Gryzlov, Chairman of the Russian Duma and Chairman of the United Russia Party, published an article entitled "Putin will still be the leader of Russia" in Russian newspaper. Gryzlov said in the article: "The upcoming Duma election is actually a referendum in support of Putin. The United Russia Party should mobilize and publicize the program of our main candidate to the society. " He pointed out, "On December 2, 2007, the issue of national leaders will be decided on this day. Putin is, should be and will be the national leader. Russian citizens trust the current president. This trust stems from its obvious work achievements. "

　　　　Gryzlov also said: "A similar proposal was put forward long ago to amend the Constitution and remove the restriction that the president can only serve two consecutive terms. The original intention of most suggestions is to avoid the crisis and leave a person who can ensure Russia’s achievements in the position of head of state. This desire is understandable. The United Russia Party and its majority in parliament will provide a reliable guarantee for Putin’s leadership position. All the actions of the United Russia Party in parliament and everywhere are aimed at supporting the policy of our national leaders. The United Russia Party is not just an ordinary member of numerous political parties. It was established for the consolidation of the country. We have been fulfilling this mission. The president’s decision to appear at the top of the candidate list once again proves the fact that the United Russia Party is the Putin Party. "

　　　　In order to retain Putin, the United Russia Party put forward some options for Putin at the congress in early October this year: to remain president, to be the leader of the United Russia Party, to be the prime minister of the government, and to be the first person on the list of federal candidates for the United Russia Party to participate in the Duma election. At that time, after agreeing to lead the United Russia Party to participate in the Duma election, Putin said: "Leading the government is a completely realistic proposal, but it is too early to consider this issue, because it requires at least two conditions: First, the United Russia Party should win in the election; Second, a decent, capable and efficient person who can work with him should be elected as the president of the country. "

　　　　However, when party member, the United Russia Party, cheered for this, Putin denied that he "may become the prime minister again after leaving office" when attending the Russia-EU summit in Mavra Castle on the outskirts of Lisbon on October 26th.

　　　　The most interesting plan to keep Putin in office is to "elect Putin’s wife to run for president." Not long ago, Russian media reported that Putin’s supporters had found a way to keep Putin, that is, to elect the first lady Lyudmila Pujingna as a candidate to be elected president, because this would not only maintain the continuity of Putin’s policies and his influence, but also ensure that he would stay in the Kremlin. Some people in Volgograd have also established a campaign called "Support Pujingna! Support the organization of the female president.

　　　　Mironov, chairman of the Russian Federation Council, simply said: "Even if the constitutional amendment fails, Putin cannot be elected for the third time, and I hope that he will run for the presidency again after 2012." (Our correspondent in Russia Guan Jianbin)

Editor: Li Xiuwei