VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS launched his bid to reclaim the Russian presidency today with his party formally nominating him as its candidate.
In a speech to about 11,000 supporters, the current prime minister warned the West not to interfere in the upcoming elections.
“All our foreign partners need to understand this: Russia is a democratic country, it’s a reliable and predictable partner with which they can and must reach agreement but on which they cannot impose anything from the outside,” he said.
According to the New York Times, the 59-year-old argued that his government deserves the public’s support, telling the audience not to forget Russia’s volatile past.
He added that he has earned “the right” to say his party is better than all others.
Putin stepped down as Russian president in 2008 after eight years in office. However, he maintained power by slotting into the newly-created prime minister role.
If Putin wins the 2012 election, the United Russia party has approved a plan which will see current president Dmitry Medvedev take over as prime minister.
The proposed position swap, announced in September, was met with some resistance from the public. Because of constitutional changes which saw the presidential term lengthen from four to six years, Putin could rule the country for another 12 years, making him the longest running leader since Communist times.
The ruling party has seen a significant drop in its approval rating in recent months so today’s speech was a rallying cry ahead of parliamentary elections next week.
Putin criticised Opposition leaders and, despite the earlier warning to Western countries, he said he wanted to develop a relationship with the US and Europe.
The charismatic politician also said he would pursue his project of forming a Eurasian Union to boost integration between Russia and its neighbours.
At one point during his speech, Putin asked the crowd to chant “Russia, Russia” repeatedly as he banged his fist on the podium, reports the New York Times.
-Additional reporting by AP
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