Russian MPs pass constitutional changes

The amendments to extend the presidential term from four to six years have passed in the third and the final reading in the lower house of the Russian parliament, the Duma. Under the amedments, the Duma will also sit five years instead of four.

The measure applies to the president and lawmakers that will be elected after the amendments come into force, reports the Russian news agency Ria-Novosti.

The constitutional changes were proposed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on November 5 on the grounds that four years were not enough to reform such a huge country like Russia.