Putin reaffirms plans to step down
Russia will have a different president next year, President Vladimir Putin confirmed today.
But despite reaffirming his plans to step aside, he left unanswered what exact role he might have.
With just two months remaining before crucial parliamentary elections – and five before presidential elections – speculation has mounted about Mr Putin’s plans once his second, consecutive term ends in March.
Mr Putin, who is widely popular in Russia, said he would not stay on as president, despite a chorus of calls from lawmakers and others. Last month, however, he indicated he would consider becoming prime minister.
“In 2008, in the Kremlin there will be a different person,” Mr Putin said, during his annual nationally televised question-and-answer session.
He also said he expected no radical policy changes from his successor, saying the next president should “keep the stable course of our nation and continuity in realising the plans that have been devised in recent years”.
