2008 amendments to the Constitution of Russia
Dmitry Medvedev stood before the Federal Assembly on the 5th of November 2008 to deliver his first annual address. He proposed a change that would extend presidential terms from four years to six years and parliamentary terms from four to five years. This brief proposal marked the start of the most substantial constitutional amendments since 1993. The President had succeeded Vladimir Putin earlier in that same year, setting the stage for this legislative shift. The amendment did not apply retroactively and was designed to take effect only for future elections.
The State Duma received the formal bill from the President on the 11th of November 2008. Pro-government parties dominated the lower house following the election of 2007. On the 14th of November, the chamber voted 388 in favor and 58 against during the first reading. A second vote on the 19th of November passed with 351 votes supporting the measure. The final reading on the 21st of November saw 392 members voting yes while 57 opposed it. Only the Communist Party, represented by 57 parliamentarians, rejected the bill throughout all three readings. United Russia, the Liberal Democratic Party, and Fair Russia all supported the legislation. Viktor Ilyukhin spoke as a Communist legislator during discussions on the 14th of November.
Article 136 of the Constitution required approval from at least two-thirds of the 83 federal subjects before the amendments could become law. Provincial legislatures across Russia had to vote individually on the changes. By the 18th of December 2008, all 83 federal subjects had approved the amendments. The Federation Council reviewed these regional approvals on the 22nd of December. President Medvedev signed the finalized text into law on the 30th of December 2008. Rossiyskaya Gazeta published the official document later that day. The amendments officially came into force on the 31st of December 2008.
Yulia Latynina wrote for The Moscow Times about the potential implications of this reform. She speculated that Vladimir Putin might return to the Kremlin earlier than May 2012 when Medvedev's term was set to expire. An unnamed official from the Presidential Executive Office told Vedomosti that Medvedev could resign as early as 2009. A source cited by Vedomosti claimed Vladislav Surkov masterminded an alleged plan in 2007. Fractured opposition groups outside parliament condemned the proposed constitutional changes during November debates. Critics analyzed how extending terms might facilitate a leadership transition between the two men.
A survey conducted by VTsIOM on 15 and the 16th of November revealed public sentiment regarding the extension. Fifty-six percent of Russians supported longer presidential and parliamentary terms according to the poll results. Support levels were notably lower within major cities compared to other regions. Kommersant reported these findings on the 21st of November alongside the final State Duma vote. The data showed majority backing despite urban skepticism. Regional approval rates varied across the federal subjects before the December deadline arrived.
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Common questions
What did Dmitry Medvedev propose to the Federal Assembly on the 5th of November 2008?
Dmitry Medvedev proposed extending presidential terms from four years to six years and parliamentary terms from four to five years. This proposal marked the start of the most substantial constitutional amendments since 1993.
When did the State Duma vote on the 2008 amendments to the Constitution of Russia?
The State Duma voted during three readings between the 14th of November and the 21st of November 2008. The final reading occurred on the 21st of November with 392 members voting yes while 57 opposed it.
How many federal subjects approved the 2008 amendments to the Constitution of Russia by December 2008?
All 83 federal subjects had approved the amendments by the 18th of December 2008. Article 136 of the Constitution required approval from at least two-thirds of these federal subjects before the changes could become law.
Who supported and who rejected the 2008 amendments to the Constitution of Russia in the State Duma?
United Russia, the Liberal Democratic Party, and Fair Russia all supported the legislation throughout all three readings. Only the Communist Party represented by 57 parliamentarians rejected the bill during every vote.
What date did President Medvedev sign the finalized text into law regarding the 2008 constitutional amendments?
President Medvedev signed the finalized text into law on the 30th of December 2008. Rossiyskaya Gazeta published the official document later that day and the amendments officially came into force on the 31st of December 2008.