[wakeyboy]

Russian PM Vladimir Putin has indicated that he may run for the presidency again when President Medvedev's term expires. He suggested that he and Medvedev would come to some sort of agreement. Medvedev would step out of the way allowing Putin to succeed unchallenged.

Last year, Russia extended the presidential term of office to 6 years.

More...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8251856.stm


Why am I not surprised? Putin is a despot in democratic clothing. Medvedev is nothing more than a puppet.

[SilverMiniCooperS]

I've made my opinion of Putin known here on many occasions. It hasn't changed one iota.

And this doesn't surprise me one bit. In fact I would have been surprised if he didn't do this.

[ukus]

... seriously has he ever really left?

[SilverMiniCooperS]

NO! He hasn't, but this move will just make it official.

[mr dragon]

No surprises there. I do like this bit though:

"When my friend Tony Blair retired, Gordon Brown immediately became prime minister," he said.

"Were the people of Great Britain consulted on this? No, there was a change of leadership in the country and it was the two of them who decided it."

I take it Putin doesn't understand the difference between a constitutional Parliamentary democracy where the public elects a party to a term in office, not a leader- to a Presidency where the public elect their Head of State- the President, as a republic or a semi-republic......And, also, I don't think Gordon Brown's going to be around following the General Election next year, unless a miracle happens