Global General

Russian president says he may seek re-election

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-19 22:00

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (R) meets with Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer in Moscow's Kremlin May 19, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday that he would not rule out the possibility of seeking re-election, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Medvedev was asked by a reporter after talks with visiting Austrian President Heinz Fisher, if there was hope he would remain "a direct partner of the Austrian president" after the 2012 presidential elections.

"If you put the question like that - whether one can hope - the answer is yes, absolutely," he said.

Fischer said Medvedev would be welcome in Austria "in any capacity."

Medvedev on Wednesday declined to say whether he would contest the 2012 presidential election in a media conference at Skolkovo innovation center, saying such a decision should be made when all preconditions had matured.

However, he later added the announcement on his decision should be expected soon.