Medvedev backs Putin for Russian president
September 24th, 2011 - 5:51 pm ICT by IANSMoscow, Sep 24 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has proposed Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to run for Russian president in next year’s election, bringing an end to months of speculation over which man would run for the post.
Speaking at the annual congress of the ruling United Russia party Saturday, Medvedev said he was ready to do “practical work in the government”.
Earlier, Putin told the congress that Medvedev should top the party’s list of candidates in parliamentary elections Dec 4. The party is led by Putin and dominates parliament.
“Given the offer to head the party list and engage in party work, and given a successful run at the elections… I believe that it would be appropriate if the congress approved Vladimir Putin’s candidacy for the post of the president of Russia,” Medvedev said to a standing ovation at Moscow’s gigantic Luzhniki sports complex.
Putin was constitutionally barred from standing for a third consecutive term in 2008 and anointed Medvedev as his successor.
“I have always been asked: when are you going to make up your mind?… I and Vladimir Vladimirovich have sometimes been asked: have you fallen out with each other?”
“What we propose to the congress is a long thought-out decision,” Medvedev said. “We were actually discussing this course of action as early as when our union was being formed.”
There had been intense speculation that Putin may seek a return to the Kremlin when elections are held in March next year. Both Putin, 58, and Medvedev, 46, have said they could stand for president, but ruled out running against each other.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
rd
- Putin nominated for 2012 presidential polls - Nov 27, 2011
- Putin proposes Medvedev as prime minister - May 07, 2012
- Putin confirms Medvedev to be PM, given election win - Dec 02, 2011
- Putin, Medvedev may name third candidate for president - Jul 05, 2011
- Medvedev urges United Russia to ensure Putin wins - Dec 18, 2011
- Putin quits as head of ruling party - Apr 24, 2012
- Russian tycoon may run for president - Sep 03, 2011
- Russian Duma speaker Zhirinovsky to run for presidency in 2012 - Apr 27, 2011
- Russian presidential polls March 4 - Jul 22, 2011
- US to continue reset relations with Russia - Sep 25, 2011
- Putin files papers for presidential bid - Dec 08, 2011
- Medvedev accepts offer to head ruling party - Apr 27, 2012
- Medevedev refuses to reveal his candidature for 2012 presidential polls - May 18, 2011
- Putin spy posters put up in Moscow - Jul 15, 2011
- Medvedev hopes to run for president in future - Jan 25, 2012
Tags: candidacy, congress, consecutive term, dmitry medvedev, intense speculation, kremlin, moscow, parliament, parliamentary elections, president of russia, prime minister, ria novosti, russian president, Sports, standing ovation, vladimir putin, vladimir vladimirovich