Professor Nordheim
11-06-2008, 06:04 PM
Nov. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Vladimir Putin may return to the Russian presidency as early as next year after his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, proposed extending the head of state's term to six years, Vedomosti reported.
The revision of the constitution was planned last year, the newspaper reported, citing an unidentified official close to the presidential administration.
The plan included the election of a successor to Putin who would carry out constitutional changes and ``unpopular social reforms'' before allowing the former leader to return for a longer term, Vedomosti cited the official as saying. The election may be held in 2009, according to Vedomosti.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Putin, said he saw no reason for Putin to return to the presidency next year as the incumbent would still be serving his term, Vedomosti reported.
bloomberg.com (http://http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601095&sid=avRI2B5dCjcA&refer=east_europe)
The revision of the constitution was planned last year, the newspaper reported, citing an unidentified official close to the presidential administration.
The plan included the election of a successor to Putin who would carry out constitutional changes and ``unpopular social reforms'' before allowing the former leader to return for a longer term, Vedomosti cited the official as saying. The election may be held in 2009, according to Vedomosti.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Putin, said he saw no reason for Putin to return to the presidency next year as the incumbent would still be serving his term, Vedomosti reported.
bloomberg.com (http://http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601095&sid=avRI2B5dCjcA&refer=east_europe)