Publication

The change in the Russian constitution in December 2008 to extend the presidential term to six years was widely seen as a strengthening of the future president; at the time expected to be Putin. Against all expectations, however, it is Medvedev who is increasingly distinguishing himself from his former mentor by proposing an independent political project for the country. His political project, having at its heart the ‘modernization’ of Russia, might lead to a political competition between the two leaders for popular support in the near future.