MOSCOW, Dec 22: Russian lawmakers confirmed on Monday that all 83 of the country’s regions had backed extending presidential terms, pushing ahead a bill that has fuelled speculation on Vladimir Putin’s return to the Kremlin.

The upper house of Russia’s parliament, the Federation Council, sent the constitutional amendments to President Dmitry Medvedev for final approval after regional assemblies backed them unanimously, Russian news agencies reported.

“The approval of the constitutional amendments has been given to the head of state for signing and official publication,” Federation Council speaker Sergei Mironov was quoted as saying by Interfax.

The amendments, which extend presidential terms from four years to six, have now been approved in of all 83 of Russia’s regions, news agencies reported, citing a statement approved by the Federation Council.

Critics charge that the amendments are meant to pave the way for Medvedev’s powerful predecessor, Prime Minister Putin, to return to the presidency.

Medvedev has said they are needed to increase political stability.

The amendments must now be signed by Medvedev and published in an official government newspaper to take force. They would be the first changes to Russia’s post-Soviet constitution since its adoption in 1993.

They needed approval by at least two-thirds of Russia’s regional legislatures. They were proposed by Medvedev in early November and were swiftly passed by the lower and upper houses of the national parliament, with the only notable opposition coming from Communist Party’s deputies in the lower house.

The lengthening of the presidential terms would only come into force after the next presidential election. Medvedev’s current term lasts until 2012.

The amendments also extend parliamentary terms from the current four years to five and include a provision for the government to report to parliament on a regular basis.—AFP