Putin backs Medvedev's presidential bid
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support today for First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to run for president.
There have been months of intense speculation on whom Mr Putin saw as his likely successor in the March 2 voting, along with the wider question of what Mr Putin himself will do once he steps down.
Mr Putin’s popularity and steely control is so strong that most observers expect that whomever he supports would be a shoo-in.
Mr Putin had long been seen as trying to choose between Mr Medvedev, a business-friendly lawyer and board chairman of state natural gas giant Gazprom, and Sergei Ivanov, another first deputy premier who built up a stern and hawkish reputation while defence minister.
Although Mr Putin is banned by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive term in office, he has indicated a strong desire to remain a significant power figure. He has raised the prospect of becoming prime minister, and his supporters have called for him to become a “national leader” with unspecified authority.
Mr Putin made the statement in a meeting with representatives of the United Russia party – which is his power base and dominates parliament – and of three other parties. The parties told Mr Putin they all supported Mr Medvedev.
“I completely and fully support this proposal,” Mr Putin said, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.
The Russian stock market surged on the news, led not only by Gazprom shares but also apparently boosted by the end of long uncertainty over whom Mr Putin would designate as successor.
