Russia's ruling tandem of President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is set to switch roles next year, with Mr. Putin returning to presidency and Mr. Medvedev taking over the government.
Mr. Medvedev asked the ruling United Russia party on Saturday to support Mr. Putin's run in next year's presidential election, while Mr. Putin backed Mr. Medvedev to head the next government.
Both said it was their joint decision agreed upon long ago but kept back for tactical reasons.
Mr. Putin's return to the Kremlin is practically guaranteed given his consistently high popularity. He has played dominant role in Russia's politics even after he relinquished presidency in 2008 under the Russian Constitution upon serving two straight terms and promoted Mr. Medvedev as his replacement. Mr. Medvedev has stayed in Mr. Putin's shadow throughout his presidency and his demotion to Prime Minister will reflect the balance of power in the Kremlin duo.
The presidential term in Russia has been extended from four to six years since last elections, which means Mr. Putin may remain at the helm till 2024.
Addressing a congress of United Russia on Saturday Mr. Putin first proposed that Mr. Medvedev head the United Russia federal party list in December's parliamentary elections. Mr. Medvedev, who spoke next, agreed to lead the party to victory in the coming election and to “continue the country's modernisation” and work in a “radically overhauled government”. He in turn proposed nominating Mr. Putin for President in the March presidential election.
“I think it is right that the party congress support the candidacy of the head of government, Vladimir Putin, for the country's President,” Mr. Medvedev said to a long standing ovation from congress delegates. Taking the floor again Mr. Putin voiced the confidence that after the parliamentary election Mr. Medvedev will “form a youthful, energetic team and will head the government.”
Mr. Putin then set forth an ambitious programme of economic growth, promising that in the next few years Russia will place among the world's leading economies and average wages and salaries will rise 50 per cent to $1,000 by 2014.
In a distinct shift from Mr. Medvedev's emphasis on reforming Russia's political system and promoting credible multiparty democracy, Mr. Putin in his speech stressed the need for “political stability” as a precondition for the country's steady growth.
Comments:
This is a good decision. Medvedev is not a stong man and is unable to steer the country on an independent path. He is like Gorbachev without any leadership qualities. Just as Gorbachev had made the once poswerful Soviet Union to what it is today to please the Western powers, Medvedev too would have made Russia subservient to the West had not Putin been there to guide.
If Vladimir Putin is next President, there is also a possibility that Dmitri Medvedev might become the next PM of Russia??
With the announcement of Putin's candidate for Presidency and sure to win the election, alarming bells may ring in the West. Putin is an nationalist and Russia would be better under him. The conservative government in U.K., Far-Right rise in Europe and Obama would-be second term in office in which he would have different set of rules, Russia >needs Putin to balance the so-called democratic world.
Only the best can happen and trust me all of you its happening these two candidate are the best of the best and most respected personality who really understand about power,and can execute there roles and responsibility for there motherland.
''Just as Gorbachev had made the once poswerful Soviet Union to what it is today to please the Western powers, Medvedev too would have made Russia subservient to the West had not Putin been there to guide''. This also applies to Manmohan Singh and the congress party, making India subservient to the west.
It's disappointing to see that so many see salvation in nationalistic jingoism, instead of acknowledging the world is links, and no solutions comes from conflict, confrontation and insular behavior. Putin reminds me of Dick Cheney, with better health.