Giuliani trying to extend mayoral term

NEW YORK -- Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who is barred by term limits from running for re-election this fall, is trying to extend his term, a source close to the mayor told The Associated Press on Monday.

Giuliani, widely praised for his handling of the city since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, was planning to make an announcement Monday about his efforts to stay in office, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Giuliani is scheduled to leave office Dec. 31 because of term-limit laws. It was unclear whether the Republican mayor would try to have those laws amended so voters could elect him for a third term or whether he would try to extend his current term.

The mayoral primary, which was postponed after the terrorist attacks, is now set for Tuesday. It was originally set for Sept. 11, but was called off after the terrorist strikes against New York.

For Giuliani to be eligible to continue serving beyond a second term, the Legislature and Republican Gov. George Pataki would have to enact emergency legislation to extend his term, or the City Council and city voters would have to amend the City Charter.

Neither scenario is likely because mayoral candidate and City Council Speaker Peter Vallone -- as well as top legislative leaders -- have said they do not want to override city voters, who enacted the term limits law in 1993 and again in 1996.

A bid to repeal term limits failed in the City Council at committee level in March. Giuliani was a strong supporter of term limits when they were first considered in the early 1990s.

The mayoral election is Nov. 6.

Vallone, Public Advocate Mark Green, Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and Comptroller Alan Hevesi are seeking the Democratic nomination.

Media owner Michael Bloomberg and former congressman Herman Badillo are seeking the Republican nomination.