Russian MPs back longer Presidency in first reading

Russia's lower house of Parliament voted overwhelmingly yesterday during a first reading to support President Dmitry Medvedev's constitutional amendment to extend the presidency to six years from four years. The chamber, dominated by the pro-Kremlin...

Russia's lower house of Parliament voted overwhelmingly yesterday during a first reading to support President Dmitry Medvedev's constitutional amendment to extend the presidency to six years from four years.

The chamber, dominated by the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, also voted to extend its own term to five years from four years.

The amendments need to pass through two more readings to change the Constitution.

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