Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has proposed extending the presidential term to six years from the current four.

Medvedev says it’s necessary to extend the tenure to enable the government to more effectively implement reforms.

Medvedev made the proposal in his state-of-the-nation speech Wednesday. He also proposed extending the parliament’s term from four years to five. He said parliament’s power must be increased by requiring the Cabinet to report to lawmakers regularly.

The proposals are Medvedev’s first major initiative to amend the constitution since he was elected in March to succeed his longtime mentor, Vladimir Putin. Putin has said in the past that the presidential term should be increased.