Moscow, September 12: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has given the strongest indication yet that he might run again for the presidency in the 2012 election.
In a Friday meeting with the Valdai discussion group of foreign academics and journalists, Putin ruled out competing against incumbent President Dmitry Medvedev, saying they would come to an agreement before the 2012 presidential polls.
“Did we compete against each other in 2007 [before the last presidential election]? … No, we didn’t. And so we won’t in 2012 either. We’ll reach an agreement,” he said.
“In 2012 we shall think together and take into account the realities of the time, our personal plans, the political landscape…and we will take a decision.”
Putin’s presidential term expired in May 2008, when he was succeeded by Dmitry Medvedev. He has remained extremely popular in opinion polls since then and continues to dominate the political scene.
It remains to be seen how Medvedev would view the question of succession; analysts believe, however, that whatever the decision is, it is Putin’s to make.
The Russian presidential term was extended to six years last year following a change to the constitution shortly after Medvedev took office. Putin could serve two consecutive terms, meaning he would be president until 2024.
——Agencies