Global General
Putin: Will consider running for president in 2012
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-12-04 02:20
MOSCOW: In an electric four-hour solo performance on live television, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said he will think about whether to reclaim the presidency - one of the strongest signals yet that he may run again for Russia's top office in 2012.
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 Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (L) talks to a TV presenter during a question-and-answer show at a Russian state TV channel in Moscow, December 3, 2009.  |
Putin, who also vowed that Russia would step up its efforts against terrorism, spoke during a question-and-answer show on television and radio.
"I will think about it, there is still enough time," Putin said when asked whether he will run in the next election.
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Putin added he wants to focus now on his job as premier and make sometimes unpopular decisions without having to take electoral considerations into account.
Putin had to shift into the premier's seat in 2008 following two consecutive terms in office, but since then the presidential term has been extended to six years and Putin is eligible to run again in 2012.
Some 2 million questions were submitted by telephone or on the Internet to Putin's marathon television show, which was similar to previous call-ins he did when he was president.
Asked about his relationship with Medvedev, Putin said their common educational background and views allowed them to "efficiently work together."
