Senators approve longer presidency

Russia's upper house of parliament voted overwhelmingly yesterday to give a final nod to a constitutional amendment extending the presidential term from four to six years.

All 142 Federation Council senators present voted to endorse a decision by Russia's regional assemblies to support a longer presidency, the last legislative step in the approval process.

President Dmitry Medvedev proposed the reform in his annual address last month. Officials justified the change, which will take effect from the next presidential election in 2012, on the grounds of Russia's size and complexity.