Russia Paves Way for Return of Putin

Parliament extends term of president; early elections could follow
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 21, 2008 12:04 PM CST
Russia Paves Way for Return of Putin
Vladimir Putin, left, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, arrive for the United Russia Party Congress in Moscow, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008.   (AP Photo)

Russia's lower house of parliament approved a change to the constitution that extends the term of the president from four to six years, CNN reports. The move is widely seen as a bureaucratic maneuver that will lead to the return of Vladimir Putin as president. The upper house of parliament is expected to follow suit and make the measure law.

Putin stepped down as president and became prime minister because the constitution prevented him from serving three straight terms. Dmitry Medvedev's term is scheduled to end in 2012, but this new amendment could set the stage for early elections. Putin would then be allowed to run again, with the possibility of gaining 12 years in office.
(More Vladimir Putin stories.)

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