Debian Python Policy
Appendix C - Upgrade Procedure
This section describes the procedure for the upgrade when the default python
version is changed in the unstable distribution, requiring
recompilation of many python-related packages.
Selected pre-releases and release candidates of new Python versions are
uploaded to Experimental to support pre-transition work and testing.
Application and module maintainers make sourceful changes where needed to
prepare for the new Python version when needed.
Have a long and heated discussion.
The Debian Python maintainer and module/application maintainers discuss the
readiness for a new default Debian Python version and associated
packaging/policy changes. Once there is some consensus, the Python maintainer
announces the upgrade and uploads to Unstable.
Upload of the python core meta-packages python,
python-dev, python-doc and several
python-module, depending on the new
pythonX.Y,
pythonX.Y-dev and so on.
The release team schedules rebuilds for packages that may need it. Packages
that require additional manual work get updated and uploaded.