A constitutional amendment extending the length of Russian presidential terms to six years passed its latest hurdle in parliament Wednesday, winning overwhelming approval in a second reading debate.

In the vote in the lower house of Russia`s parliament, the State Duma, 351 lawmakers voted for the change while only 57 voted against. On Friday they overwhelmingly approved a first reading of the bill.

The increase in the presidential term from four years to six years has been seen by government critics as paving the way for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin`s return to the presidency.

The Duma will need to vote again on the bill in a third reading before it goes before Russia`s upper house, the Federation Council. It then has to be approved by two-thirds of Russia`s regional assemblies.

The changes will also increase parliamentary terms from four years to five.