Vladimir Putin has been Russia’s president for six years. The Russian Constitution stipulates that when his presidency expires in 2008, he is not allowed to run for a third term.

Russia has been quite an active nation since Putin assumed control in 2000. It has become a prominent global power, and its foreign policy has taken on a distinct anti-American tone. The government has arrested control of Russia’s key assets, including the vast oil and gas industries and the media. Although it is called a democracy, Russia is becoming more like an autocracy.

This is why the results from a recent poll conducted in Russia are surprising. An increasing number of Russians believe the nation‘s Constitution should be changed to allow President Putin to run for a third term.

Conducted by the Levada Center in Russia, the poll, which covered 46 regions, showed that “the number of people who want Putin to remain on the post of president after 2008 grew from 41 to 59 percent over the past nine months” (Itar-Tass News Agency, June 8).

Despite his popularity, President Putin has repeatedly said he will not run for re-election—but the majority of Russians don’t believe he will keep his word. In the same poll, only 32 percent of the people surveyed believe the president will not take action to run for re-election.

It appears Russians want Putin’s leadership. Putin will likely oblige them and seek changes to the Constitution legalizing his re-election in 2008. Why not? Apparently he would face few objections from his people.

Russia has developed into a formidable power under Putin’s leadership. This trend will continue. To learn about the significance of President Putin’s election, and re-election, should he seek it, please read our article “From the Editor: Russia Frightens Europe—and Fulfills Bible Prophecy.”