Putin accepts 2 -term prez limit in principle, but refuses to impose it on himself

Moscow, Apr 12(ANI): Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has told parliament that it would be "reasonable" to bar anyone from serving more than two terms as president, but has firmly rejected imposing any such limit on himself.

Putin was addressing the parliament on the goals of his third presidential term, which starts from May 7.

The Russian constitution prohibits a person from serving over two presidential terms consecutively but sets no limit on non- consecutive terms.

Putin has already served two terms as Russian president from 2000 to 2008,The Wall Street Journal reports.

His upcoming term runs till 2018, as a new law initiated by his outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev lengthens presidential terms to six years from four.

By law, Putin could be re-elected and serve until 2024, which is longer than served by any Soviet leader except Joseph Stalin.

Opposition lawmakers welcomed Putin's endorsement of a two-term limit, but slammed his comment that he would be immune to the limit.

"This is unacceptable. He should say, 'I start with myself. I won't run in six years.' It shows a cynical attitude on his part, " a Just Russia member Alexander Ageyev, said. (ANI)