Vladimir Putin Signals He is Pondering a Presidential Comeback in 2012
Russia's prime minister gives strong hint in interview with Japanese press about return to Kremlin
Russia's prime minister, Vladimir Putin, tonight gave his strongest hint yet that he is pondering a comeback that would see him return to the Kremlin as president in 2012.
Putin said there was no decision yet on whether he or his close ally Dmitry Medevedev, the current president, would run for office when Medvedev's four-year-stint in the job expires.
"Depending on the effectiveness of our work, President Medvedev and I will take decisions about what to do in the future, he and I," Putin said in an interview with the Japanese media.
He added: "I have very good relations with President Medevedev. Each one of us does our work. We each have our niches. But of course at this level, questions frequently arise that cross over."
Medvedev took over as Russia's leader last May. But exactly a year after he was sworn in most ordinary Russians – as well analysts and Moscow's western partners – believe that Putin remains the most important figure in Russian politics.
In recent months, some commentators have said that Medvedev has been trying to nudge Russia in a more liberal and less authoritarian direction. Skeptics, however, have noted the differences between the two leaders are merely stylistic.
Last year Medvedev extended the presidential term from four to six years – fueling speculation that Putin was already plotting a comeback. Putin served eight years as president from 2000-2008, before taking up his current job.
Today Putin said the economic crisis that has battered Russia would decide which of the two men stood in 2012. "I have known him for a long time and I know he will look at his political future based on the interests of the country," Putin said.
The relationship between Medvedev and Putin remains something of a mystery. They have known each other since the early 1990s, when they worked together in St Petersburg's mayor's office, with Putin naming Medvedev as his successor in autumn 2007.
Putin said there was no decision yet on whether he or his close ally Dmitry Medevedev, the current president, would run for office when Medvedev's four-year-stint in the job expires.
"Depending on the effectiveness of our work, President Medvedev and I will take decisions about what to do in the future, he and I," Putin said in an interview with the Japanese media.
He added: "I have very good relations with President Medevedev. Each one of us does our work. We each have our niches. But of course at this level, questions frequently arise that cross over."
Medvedev took over as Russia's leader last May. But exactly a year after he was sworn in most ordinary Russians – as well analysts and Moscow's western partners – believe that Putin remains the most important figure in Russian politics.
In recent months, some commentators have said that Medvedev has been trying to nudge Russia in a more liberal and less authoritarian direction. Skeptics, however, have noted the differences between the two leaders are merely stylistic.
Last year Medvedev extended the presidential term from four to six years – fueling speculation that Putin was already plotting a comeback. Putin served eight years as president from 2000-2008, before taking up his current job.
Today Putin said the economic crisis that has battered Russia would decide which of the two men stood in 2012. "I have known him for a long time and I know he will look at his political future based on the interests of the country," Putin said.
The relationship between Medvedev and Putin remains something of a mystery. They have known each other since the early 1990s, when they worked together in St Petersburg's mayor's office, with Putin naming Medvedev as his successor in autumn 2007.
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