Putin hints at prime ministerial future
Vladimir Putin admits he could become Russia's next prime minister
Monday, 01, Oct 2007 05:03
Russian president Vladimir Putin has admitted that he could become the country's next prime minister when his spell in the Kremlin comes to an end.
Mr Putin is due to leave office next year due to Russia's constitution banning anyone from sitting as president for three successive terms.
He is however entitled to seek the presidency in the future, and the implication that he could become his United Russia party's prime minister provides a serious indication as to what he would do in the ensuing period.
Mr Putin's admission came during a United Russia congress in Moscow today, and was greeted by a massive cheer by party deputies.
He said it was "entirely realistic" that he could become Russia's next prime minister, although he added it was "still too early to think about it".
"I gratefully accept your proposal to head the United Russia list," Mr Putin said.
With United Russia expected to reclaim a two-thirds majority in the Duma in December polls, Mr Putin would feasibly have the power to rewrite Russia's constitution to limit the power of the presidential office during his theoretical term as prime minister.
Although the 54-year-old former secret service head remains an enigmatic and controversial figure in the west over alleged massive human rights and constitutional abuses, he enjoys significant public support in Russia after raising the country's profile following his succession of Boris Yeltsin.