Outgoing Medvedev signs off on political reforms

President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday said he signed into law new political reforms agreed in the wake of the protests that shook Russia, just days before he hands over the Kremlin to Vladimir Putin. Medvedev announced he signed off on laws reviving the direct elections of Russia's powerful regional governors and also abolishing the need for parties to gather signed petitions to stand in all elections save presidential polls. "I want to inform you -- I have just signed the law on the elections of governors of the Russian Federation," Russian news agencies quoted Medvedev as telling a meeting of party leaders, adding he had also signed the changes to the requirement on signatures. The changes were first touted after mass anti-Putin protests shook the Kremlin following disputed parliamentary elections in December. The laws had already been adopted by parliament. Medvedev is to leave the Kremlin on May 7 when Prime Minister Putin is inaugurated as head of state but the outgoing president is expected to be immediately named as the new prime minister.