Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

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

(Newser) – 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.

Vladimir Putin, left, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, arrive for the United Russia Party Congress in Moscow, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008.
Vladimir Putin, left, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, arrive for the United Russia Party Congress in Moscow, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Vladimir Putin arrives to attend the NATO-Russia Council meeting during the NATO summit at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest on April 4, 2008.
Vladimir Putin arrives to attend the NATO-Russia Council meeting during the NATO summit at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest on April 4, 2008.   (Getty Images)
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin look on during their talks in Chishinau, Moldova on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin look on during their talks in Chishinau, Moldova on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Shannonals
Nov 21, 2008 10:26 PM CST
Here comes another Cold War...on a positive note the economy was always good during the first Cold War.
Guest
Nov 21, 2008 3:03 AM CST
Wow,this was a real surprise,wsn't it.......

More Newser Stories

Russians March on Kremlin to Protest Putin

Russian Cops Pitch Tantrum Over 'Toy Protest'

Putin: Why I'm Running Again

All Signs Point to Runaway Election Fraud in Russia

Putin Offers to Talk to Protesters


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne