The Return of Putin

Russian business daily Vedomosti reports that Dmitri Medvedev might step down as early as next year, paving the way for Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin. The report comes after Medvedev's announcement of a proposal to extend the presidential term from four to six years. It is rumored that Medvedev would then step down, calling for a special election that would most likely result in Putin's return to the presidency, an office he could now hold for another twelve years. Under current Russian law, presidents are limited to two consecutive terms. Putin resisted amending the Constitution while he was in office to avoid seeming unethical. Having Medvedev do it provides some small cover of constitutionality and decency to Putin's ambitions.