Putin proposed for Russian presidential run by Medvedev

Current president’s endorsement virtually seals his predecessor’s return to power at the Kremlin The prospect of Vladamir Putin leading Russia until 2024 become more realistic after Russia’s ruling duo ended months of speculation on Saturday with President Dmitry Medvedev proposing his predecessor make a run fort the top job next year. Medvedev told a congress of the ruling United Russia party that he would back Putin in his return to the Kremlin. That means Putin could lead Russia until at least 2024. Speaking to thousands of flag-waving delegates in Moscow’s Soviet-era Luzhniki stadium, Medvedev first accepted Putin’s suggestion that he head the party’s federal party list in December’s parliamentary vote. The crowd erupted into a gasp of surprise and then applause when he said: “I think it’s right that the party congress support the candidacy of head of the government, Vladimir Putin, in the role of the country’s president.” Russia has been gripped by months of speculation regarding the decision. Putin’s return – he is all but assured to win the March vote – will raise further concerns over the lack of democracy and the growth of soft authoritarianism in the country. Putin took the stage after the announcement, launching into a pre-electoral diatribe addressing concerns over unemployment and corruption, and promising to improve the situation in the country. “Huge tasks lie before us,” Putin said. “The focus of our attention must always be the people – the citizens of Russia.” Medvedev addressed the long waiting game over the decision. “Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] and I were always asked: when will you decide? Sometimes we were asked, have you two fought? I want to entirely confirm what was just said: what we propose to the congress, is a deeply thought-through decision.” “I hope you’ll understand why we waited so long to publicly reveal our position,” he said. As the head of United Russia’s party list, Medvedev said he would be ready to head the government – the role of the prime minister – if the party were to win, as is widely expected. Political opposition is either banned or co-opted by the Kremlin. That could mean, in effect, that he and Putin would simply switch roles. “Our loved country, our Russia, she must belong to free, orderly and responsible people,” Medvedev said. “I’m sure it will be that way.” Russia Europe Vladimir Putin Dmitry Medvedev Miriam Elder guardian.co.uk

Posted by on September 24, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.