What do designations really mean in Russia’s top echelons of power? In a Time article, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright described Vladimir Putin as more likely to “define his job, rather than be defined by it”. She was referring to his so-called comedown as Prime Minister of Russia after serving as President for eight years. But after Russian lawmakers approved the second reading of a Bill extending the presidential term from four to six years on Wednesday, speculation is rife that Putin may return to the office that current President Dmitry Medvedev has held for little more than six months.

• Role ploy

According to many Kremlin watchers, Putin surrendered only a title — not position and power — when he stepped aside to let loyal sidekick Medvedev take over as President in May 2008. Constitutionally barred from seeking a third term as President’s, Putin’s gracious step-down served to enhance his image as an upright leader with democratic leanings. Although it was no secret that Putin continued to pull the strings, he was never far from centrestage even as Prime Minister, the ‘better half’ of what can only be called a dyarchy. And that, too, may soon be dispensed with.

• Clearing the way

In Dmitry Medvedev’s first State of the Nation address early this month, clear signals of a possible presidential comeback for Putin became evident when the current President proposed a number of political reforms, some of which have raised hopes for more transparency and accountability in Russia’s undeniably kleptocratic system. But what really invited fevered commentary was Medvedev’s proposal to extend the presidential term from four to six years. On November 19, just two weeks after the announcement, the Kremlin-controlled Duma, Russia’s lower House of Parliament, voted 351-57 to pass the Bill in its second reading. This was not much of a surprise since Putin’s party, United Russia, holds two-thirds of seats in the Duma. The Constitutional Affairs Committee treated protests from the Communists only as so much noise. The final reading is scheduled for Friday after which the Bill will go the Upper House. If the change is enacted, it will not apply to Medvedev’s term.

• The implications

According to some political analysts, Medvedev’s proposal is merely a part of Putin’s greater plan to reclaim the presidential seat for a longer period — 12 years, perhaps sooner than later if Medvedev steps down early. While there was talk of making a similar amendment when Putin was still President, it didn’t reach fruition, likely because it wouldn’t have reflected well on Putin. With Medvedev doing the “dirty work”, that particular problem is solved. Meanwhile, critics have noted that an extended term means fewer elections and thus, diminished power to the electorate and an even greater consolidation of power in the Kremlin.

• The man behind russia

For a man who seemingly materialised out of nowhere — he was a KGB official after all — when Boris Yelstin announced him as his candidate for PM in 1999, Putin has grown to become the face of newly affluent Russia. His arrival was viewed with more than a little scepticism, even when he was elected President in 2000. Eight years and two terms on, nobody takes Putin lightly (and so they shouldn’t as less-than-respectful members of the Russian media have found out). While Putin has been criticised as being a good mimic of democratic capitalistic values, while turning the country into a neo-Soviet state with strict Government control over the media and key economic sectors, he enjoys widespread popularity, even though it is an open secret that his re-election in 2004 was rigged. But for better and for worse, he has almost single-handedly changed a nation.