Russian MPs vote for longer presidency
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Russia's Lower House of Parliament has approved a constitutional amendment extending the president's term of office by two years.
The change is likely to come into effect after the next presidential election.
President Dmitry Medvedev's submission to Parliament for the Russian leader's term of office to be extended from four to six years has had a speedy passage through the Lower House.
At the third and final reading of the bill, the Duma members have voted to change the constitution to allow for the extension.
The amendment has to receive the endorsement of the Upper House, as well as regional Parliaments before it comes into effect.
There has been speculation that extending the term of office is part of a broader plan to hold early presidential elections and clear the way for the return of Mr Medvedev's predecessor and mentor, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
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