Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has sent parliament a draft law on extending the term of the country's president from four to six years.
The Russian leader first made the proposal in his state-of-the-nation address last week. The measure also calls for extending the term of the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, from four to five years.
Some Russian news reports raised the possibility the changes would require new presidential elections in Russia. This, they said, would allow former Russian President Vladimir Putin, who now is Russia's prime minister, to quickly seek to return to the presidency.
But Russian officials have downplayed the possibility, noting that the changes would not apply to Mr. Medvedev's current term.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
