Duma to fast-track presidential term bill

A Russian parliament committee proposed fast-tracking debate of amendments to the constitution that would extend the presidential and parliamentary terms. The State Duma's constitutional legislation and state building committee chairman, Vladimir Pligin, said: "We will propose considering it in three readings in one session." The bill would then go to an immediate vote. Duma to fast-track presidential term bill He said earlier on Wednesday that parliament may consider the amendments, submitted by President Dmitry Medvedev, on Friday. The move to consider the amendments in one session would vastly speed up the likely approval of the bill. Medvedev has proposed increasing the presidential term to six years from four, and the term for the State Duma to five years from four. Larisa Brycheva, a presidential aide, earlier said constitutional amendments to extend the term of office of the Russian president would not require a national referendum. Russian opposition groups have condemned the move. The Russian Vedomosti paper said on Thursday, citing an unidentified Kremlin official, that Medvedev could resign next year, paving the way for the return of his predecessor and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The source told the paper that Medvedev may resign citing changes to the constitution, leading to presidential elections being held next year. Vedomosti said Putin could then rule for two six-year terms, from 2009 to 2021.

Duma to fast-track presidential term bill

He said earlier on Wednesday that parliament may consider the amendments, submitted by President Dmitry Medvedev, on Friday. The move to consider the amendments in one session would vastly speed up the likely approval of the bill.

Medvedev has proposed increasing the presidential term to six years from four, and the term for the State Duma to five years from four.

Larisa Brycheva, a presidential aide, earlier said constitutional amendments to extend the term of office of the Russian president would not require a national referendum. Russian opposition groups have condemned the move.

The Russian Vedomosti paper said on Thursday, citing an unidentified Kremlin official, that Medvedev could resign next year, paving the way for the return of his predecessor and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The source told the paper that Medvedev may resign citing changes to the constitution, leading to presidential elections being held next year. Vedomosti said Putin could then rule for two six-year terms, from 2009 to 2021.