MOSCOW — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday signed a law that stretches the presidential term from four years to six, amending the nation’s 1993 constitution for the first time.
The measure, backed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his political protege, Medvedev, was hustled through both houses of parliament and the provincial legislatures in less than two months.
The amendment has sparked speculation that Medvedev might step down early to allow Putin to return to the Kremlin.
Constitutional term limits forced Putin to give up the presidency this year despite the ex-KGB agent’s popularity and apparent taste for running the country. Putin handpicked Medvedev to run for president and moved to the prime minister’s office after the election.
The new law will not take effect during Medvedev’s current term.
Among Russians, Putin is assumed to have continued calling the shots.
