RUSSIA: Dmitry Medvedev tells United Russia congress Vladimir Putin should return as Russian president in 2012

Record ID: 335958

  • Title: RUSSIA: Dmitry Medvedev tells United Russia congress Vladimir Putin should return as Russian president in 2012
  • Date: 25th September 2011
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (SEPTEMBER 24, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF LUZHNIKI STADIUM WHERE UNITED RUSSIA CONGRESS HELD
  • Embargoed: 10th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Russian Federation
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8NY4LBH2CY3C2WW7AFTQE637W
  • Story Text: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev proposed on Saturday (September 24) that Vladimir Putin run in next year's presidential election, signalling they have agreed the prime minister will return to the post he held for eight years until 2008.
    Putin first addressed delegates at United Russia's party congress, setting the scene for the main announcement, by naming Medvedev as head of United Russia's parliamentary election campaign.
    "In past years we have established the practice of having the agreed list of candidates for United Russia supervised by the President. I think this tradition should not be destroyed. I suggest that the United Russia list for the Russian Federation Duma elections on December 4 is supervised by the acting head of government, Dmitry Anatolievich Medvedev," Putin told delegates.
    Medvedev then took the stage and agreed that he would head its list of candidates in the parliamentary poll on Dec. 4, indicating that he could enter the government after the elections.
    " I suggest to get to resolve another important question which of course concerns the Party and all our people who follow politics. I mean resolving the candidacy for president of the country. Having agreed to supervise the party list, to get involved in the work of the Party and once we have had a successful performance in the elections, my readiness to take an active role in the government, I think it would be right for the congress to support the candidacy of party leader Vladimir Putin for president of the country," Medvedev said to cheers and applause from thousands of United Russia members.
    The announcement followed months of speculation over whether Putin, 58, or Medvedev, 46, will be president next year.
    Although Putin did not immediately say whether he would accept, Medvedev's comments made clear they have agreed that he will run.
    "Ahead of us we have a task of enormous scale. We have to build an innovative economy, strengthen democratic institutions. But if we really want to achieve success, at the centre of our attention must always be the citizen of Russia," Putin told delegates as he took the stage again.
    Medvedev's decision to accept a proposal to lead United Russia's list of candidates into the election to the State Duma lower house on Dec. 4 indicated the president is preparing to take another role -- in government or parliament.
    "I believe United Russia will win. With the mandate of the people, Dmitry Anatolievich will be able to found a new, effectively-functioning, young energentic, focused leadership to lead the government of the Russian Federation so that work can continue in the modernisation of all aspects of our lives," Putin added.
    Putin was president from 2000 to 2008 but steered Medvedev into the Kremlin in 2008 because he was barred from a third successive term by the constitution.
    Some economists have said the return of Putin, who is more conservative than Medvedev, could herald an era of economic stagnation. Others have said there is more difference in their style than their policies.
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