Lower house of Russian parliament extends presidential term to 6 years from 4

Published Friday November 21st, 2008

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MOSCOW - The lower house of Russia's parliament has given final approval to a bill extending the presidential term from four to six years.

Enlarge Photo

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin addresses the tenth United Russia Party Congress in Moscow on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev proposed the bill in a move seen by many as a step toward Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency.

The Kremlin-controlled State Duma voted 392-57 Friday to approve the bill at its third and final reading.

It now goes to the upper house for an expected swift approval.

The widely popular Putin, now prime minister, was constitutionally barred from seeking a third straight term as president in elections this year.

Putin has said the change is not tailored for him. But many observers predict that Medvedev could step down early to let Putin reclaim country's top office.

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