Putin backs Constitution's 2-term, 8-year limit for presidency

Vladimir Putin has spoken out against lengthening the presidential term of office. Asked during his live broadcast on national television yesterday what he thinks about lengthening the presidential term beyond four years with a limit of two terms, the head of state said: 'I am against it.'

'First of all, we have to make it to March 2004 before we can start talking about the election in 2008,' Putin said. 'But I can already say: I oppose anyone's violating our country's Constitution, whatever his good intentions.'

On the matter of merging some Russian regions, the president said: 'If people think that is necessary and right, we'll support it.'