Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev signed a law extending presidential terms from four years to six on Tuesday in a move seen as paving the way for Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency.
Medvedev's final endorsement of the legislation follows its quick approval by the Kremlin-controlled parliament and all of Russia's 83 provincial legislatures. The change won't apply to Medvedev's current term, due to end in 2012.
Putin was barred constitutionally from seeking a third straight term as president. He tapped Medvedev, his longtime protege, as his favored successor, ensuring a landslide victory in a March election.
The picture is amazing. Medvedev gets the fancy stationery and office, but Putin pulls the strings. I swear to God you can't see Putin's lips move when Medvedev is speaking, and I can't spot the wires for the life of me. Medvedev seems so life-like!
Mere laws can't stop the creeping autocracy that has gripped Russia under Putin. The show must go on, after all.
