Many believe change is designed to bring former President Vladimir Putin back . Medvedev , Putin 's hand-picked successor , proposed the changes in November , starting with the next president . Vladimir Putin stepped down as president in November after six terms and is now PM . Vladimir Putin proposed in May that head of state 's term be lengthened .
Many believe change is designed to bring former President Vladimir Putin back . Vladimir Putin stepped down as president in November after six terms and is now PM . Vladimir Putin proposed in May that head of state 's term be lengthened .