Why didn't Count Dickula think of this while there was still time?

Constitutional amendment could allow Vladimir Putin to stay in power for decades

MOSCOW -- As if to counter the mood of democratic change in the United States, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday launched a constitutional amendment that would allow him and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to remain the legal leaders of Russia, with little chance for challenge, through the next two decades.

The change, introduced in the State Duma, raises the presidential term of office to six years from four, beginning with the next president. It would allow Mr. Putin, who stepped down from the presidency this year after he reached the constitutional two-consecutive-term limit, to run again in 2012 or 2016 for two more terms totalling 12 years. Officials close to Mr. Putin say he will likely do so.

That change, along with other proposals that would make it extremely difficult for political parties other than Mr. Putin's United Russia to put up top-level candidates in elections, virtually guarantees the reign of Mr. Putin - widely considered to be the true leader behind Mr. Medvedev's presidency - either as prime minister or president for a period that could last as long as 22 more years.