Russia senators give final nod to 6-year presidency

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

All of the 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.Last month the State Duma (lower house) and the Federation Council both passed the longer term, which was proposed by President Dmitry Medvedev. The amendment will become law once Medvedev has signed it. (Reuters)