But Putin also suggested such a law would not apply to himself, leaving open the possibility that he could run for a fourth presidential term in 2018.
The Russian Constitution now bars a person from being president for more than two consecutive terms. Putin was Russia's president from 2000 to 2008 _ in two four-year terms _ but had to step down to avoid the issue of consecutive terms. He did not step far away _ becoming the country's prime minister and remaining Russia's most powerful leader despite the title change.
But because of that ``consecutive'' clause, Putin was able to run for a third term in the March president vote. He won amid an unprecedented wave of street protests stemming from allegations of widespread vote rigging in December's parliamentary election and will be sworn in on May 7.
In addition, while Putin was prime minister, his placeholder, Dmitry Medvedev, pushed a law through Parliament changing the presidential term from four to six years, so Putin will now rule until 2018.
On Wednesday, during a Q&A session in Parliament, Putin said it would be ``reasonable'' to remove the mention of consecutive terms. But he added that this would not affect him because such a legislation cannot be retroactive _ implying that his third term would considered his first term under the new law.
``Once it's passed, I will have a chance to work for the next two terms. There's no problem here,'' he said in televised remarks.
When the prime minister was asked shortly before the March vote whether he thought it was ethical of him to run for a third term, Putin said he saw no reason not to run because the law allowed it.
A few hours before his annual speech to Parliament, several opposition activists were detained outside the Parliament building when they attempted to stage an unsanctioned rally.
In his speech, Putin pledged to improve Russia's dismal investment climate, calling it crucial for the country's development. He promised his new government would submit legislation to make Russia more business-friendly before the end of the year and introduce the position of an ombudsman to champion investors' rights.
``We won't be able to tackle any issue in the economy or social sphere unless we fix the situation with the business climate,'' Putin said in his annual address.
Russia's gross domestic product grew 4.3 percent last year, but Russia also recorded a capital outflow of $84 billion, which signals domestic and foreign investors' decreasing confidence in the future of the economy.
Investors have long complained about corruption and extensive bureaucracy that hampers investment. Medvedev, the outgoing president, made the investment climate a priority of his rule but his policies have not achieved any tangible results.
In an apparent reference to opposition protests, Putin urged political parties to work together for the good of the country, saying unity is necessary to further development.
During his presidential campaign, Putin had promised higher wages and benefits for soldiers, doctors and teachers. Analysts estimated those measures could cost about $160 billion over his six-year term.
Economists say the government can afford the extra spending as long as the price of oil remains high. In response to a lawmaker's question, Putin insisted Wednesday that all of his promises had been well thought out and were sustainable with oil prices at $70 per barrel.
The current price of Brent crude oil is currently $120 per barrel.
Putin shrugged off complaints from the opposition Just Russia faction over a mayoral election in the southern city of Astrakhan, which Just Russia candidate Oleg Shein said was rigged.
Putin advised Shein, who has been on a hunger strike for 27 days in protest, to go to court instead. His remarks prompted Just Russia lawmakers to walk out in protest. (AFP)
<관련 한글 기사>
푸틴, 대통령 3번 못하게... '나만 빼고'
다음달 세번째 대통령 임기를 시작하는 블라디미르 푸틴 러시아 총리(대통령 당선자)가 대통령직을 3차례 이상 맡을 수 없 도록 헌법을 개정하는 방안을 검토할 의사가 있다고 11일(현지시간) 밝혔다.
이타르타스 통신에 따르면 다음 달 7일 3기째 대통령직에 취임하는 푸틴 총리는 이날 총리 임기 마지막 공식 일정으로 국가두마(하원)에서 2011년 국정보고 연설을 한 뒤 대통령 임기와 관련한 공산당 의원의 질문을 받고 이같이 말했다.
2000~2008년 대통령직을 연임한 푸틴은 4년 동안 총리로 물러났다가 지난 3월 대선을 통해 다시 세 번째 임기의 대통령직에 복귀한다.
푸틴은 이날 국정보고 연설 뒤 한 공산당 의원이 '한 사람이 3기 이상 연이어 대통령직을 맡을 수 없다'고 돼 있는 현행 헌법 조항에서 '연이어'란 표현을 빼는 개헌을 할 용의가 없는지를 물은 데 대해 "충분히 합리적인 생각"이라며 "검토해 볼 수 있다"고 답했다.
대통령직을 3기 이상 연임하는 것뿐 아니라 푸틴의 경우처럼 2기를 연임한 뒤 물러났다가 다시 대통령직에 복귀하는 방식으로 3기 이상 중임하는 것도 금지하는 개헌을 검토할 수 있다는 뜻으로 해석된다.
그는 "이같은 헌법 개정안이 채택되더라도 새 헌법이 소급적용될 수는 없기 때문에 나는 (현행 헌법에 따라) 앞으로 2기를 연임하는 데 문제가 없다"며 "여러 정당이 함께 개헌 문제를 검토해보자"고 제안했다.
드미트리 페스코프 총리 공보실장은 이후 푸틴의 발언과 관련 "의원의 질문에 답한 것일 뿐 직접 개헌을 제안한 것은 아니다"고 해명했다.
한편 푸틴 총리는 이날 국정보고에서 정부의 경제 정책과 관련한 그동안의 성과를 강조하면서 향후 계획에 대해서도 장밋빛 전망을 제시했다.
푸틴은 러시아가 2008년 이후의 경제위기를 다른 나라들보다 더 성공적으로 극복해 냈으며 2~3년 뒤에는 세계 5대 경제대국으로 도약할 수 있을 것이라고 주장했 다.
그는 또 2020년까지 평균 임금을 지금보다 1.6~1.7배 이상 높일 것이라고 강조했다. 2011년 현재 러시아인들의 평균 임금은 2만5천600루블(약 98만원)이다.
푸틴은 이와 함께 러시아 정부의 역점 사업인 극동 및 동시베리아 개발 문제를 전담하는 특별조직을 만들 것이라고 밝혔다. 그는 극동 및 동시베리아 개발이 러시아의 가장 중요한 우선 과제 가운데 하나라며 이같이 말했다. (연합뉴스)
