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Russian lawmakers in Moscow were voting Friday on proposed constitutional changes extending the presidential term from four to six years.
Medvedev is seeking a constitutional change to extend presidential terms by two years.
Medvedev is seeking a constitutional change to extend presidential terms by two years.
The bill, submitted earlier this week by current Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, has prompted speculation that it could pave the way for Vladimir Putin to return to the Kremlin in 2012 for 12 more years, The Associated Press reports.
The bill was fast tracked through the lower house of the Russian parliament, the Duma, by 388 votes to 58, AP said.
It was expected to pass without much opposition because Putin's United Russia party has controlling majorities in both houses. A majority of regional legislatures -- also controlled by United Russia -- must also approve the bill.
Opposition Communist leader Gennady said extendind the presidency would consolidate even more power in the hands of someone who already enjoyed more authority than the "general secretary (of the Soviet Union), the czar and the pharaoh altogether."
"If tomorrow you choose the person, who is controlled by no one, for a six-year term, it will be an even bigger tragedy and danger for the country (than the economic crisis)," Zyuganov said in comments carried by AP.
The popular Putin, currently prime minister, was obliged to step down from the presidency earlier this year having served two consecutive four-year terms. He says extended presidential terms would bolster democracy in Russia.
"We are seeking instruments that would enable us to guarantee sovereignty, to implement our long-term plans, and that would not only not damage but would foster the development of democracy in this country," Putin told reporters earlier this week, AP reported.
He said six-year terms were nothing unusual in many countries, pointing out that French presidential terms were seven years.
Putin said it was too early to speculate whether he would run for office in 2012.
Medvedev, a former foreign minister, is widely seen as his predecessor's protege since Putin backed him in March's presidential election. The six-year term would not come into force until the end of Medvedev's presidency
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Russian lawmakers in Moscow were voting Friday on proposed constitutional changes extending the presidential term from four to six years.
Medvedev is seeking a constitutional change to extend presidential terms by two years.
Medvedev is seeking a constitutional change to extend presidential terms by two years.
The bill, submitted earlier this week by current Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, has prompted speculation that it could pave the way for Vladimir Putin to return to the Kremlin in 2012 for 12 more years, The Associated Press reports.
The bill was fast tracked through the lower house of the Russian parliament, the Duma, by 388 votes to 58, AP said.
It was expected to pass without much opposition because Putin's United Russia party has controlling majorities in both houses. A majority of regional legislatures -- also controlled by United Russia -- must also approve the bill.
Opposition Communist leader Gennady said extendind the presidency would consolidate even more power in the hands of someone who already enjoyed more authority than the "general secretary (of the Soviet Union), the czar and the pharaoh altogether."
"If tomorrow you choose the person, who is controlled by no one, for a six-year term, it will be an even bigger tragedy and danger for the country (than the economic crisis)," Zyuganov said in comments carried by AP.
The popular Putin, currently prime minister, was obliged to step down from the presidency earlier this year having served two consecutive four-year terms. He says extended presidential terms would bolster democracy in Russia.
"We are seeking instruments that would enable us to guarantee sovereignty, to implement our long-term plans, and that would not only not damage but would foster the development of democracy in this country," Putin told reporters earlier this week, AP reported.
He said six-year terms were nothing unusual in many countries, pointing out that French presidential terms were seven years.
Putin said it was too early to speculate whether he would run for office in 2012.
Medvedev, a former foreign minister, is widely seen as his predecessor's protege since Putin backed him in March's presidential election. The six-year term would not come into force until the end of Medvedev's presidency
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