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Putin and Medvedev arrive at the United Russia congress in Moscow. Ivan Sekretarev/AP/Press Association Images

Putin to run for Russian presidency in 2012

Vladimir Putin is to run for the Russian presidency next year, while current president Dmitry Medvedev is set to take over as prime minister.

VLADIMIR PUTIN IS to run for the Russian presidency in 2012.

His decision to run almost certainly ensures a return to the office he previously held for eight years and likely foreshadows more years of strongman rule.

His United Russia party also approved his proposal that the current president Dmitry Medvedev take over his Putin’s role as prime minister.

Putin ruled Russia as president from 2000 to 2008 with a steely command that was widely criticised in the West as a retreat from democracy.

As  constitutional changes have extended the presidential term to six years from four, Putin’s power is likely to be even more enhanced. If he wins two terms in a row, Putin will have been atop the Russian hierarchy for almost a quarter century.

Uncontested

Putin’s nomination at a congress of the United Russia party end months of intense speculation as to whether he would seek to return to the Kremlin or whether he would allow the more mild-mannered and reform-leaning Medvedev to seek another term in next year’s election.

Despite apparently growing discontent among ordinary Russians with the party, United Russia exerts such an overwhelming presence in the country’s politics that Putin’s election and Medvedev’s switch to the premiership is virtually ensured.

Not only have genuine opposition parties been marginalised, but Putin’s personal popularity is immense among Russians who laud him as the strong and decisive figure needed by a sprawling country troubled by corruption, an Islamist insurgency and a vast gap between the impoverished and the grandiosely super-rich.

The presidential election, for which a date has not been set, is preceded by national parliamentary elections on December 4, in which United Russia will seek to retain its dominance; the party has 312 of the 450 seats in the current parliament.

Putin started a carefully orchestrated series of maneuvers at today’s session of the party congress by proposing that Medvedev head the party list for the December elections. Medvedev then proposed that Putin be the party’s presidential candidate, and Putin returned to the stage to accept the proposal and express support for Medvedev as prime minister.

The congress approved the moves with no apparent opposition.

Economic decisions

Moving Medvedev to the premiership could set him up to take the brunt of criticism for austerity measures that Putin has warned will be necessary for Russia amid global economic turmoil.

Putin also proposed that Russia’s richest citizens face higher taxes. The flat income tax that came into effect during Putin’s 2000-2008 presidency has been widely praised as improving tax collection and Putin’s proposal would not change that, but he called for increases in consumption and real estate taxes that hit the rich comparatively harder.

The period for formal submission of presidential candidates’ names has not yet begun, and it is unclear who might choose to challenge Putin for president.

Putin became prime minister in 2008 after two terms as president, stepping aside because of constitutional term limits, but as Russia’s most powerful and popular politician he nonetheless overshadowed Medvedev, his handpicked successor in the presidency.

Medvedev was widely seen as a caretaker figure. As president, he has struck a reformist posture, calling for improvements in Russia’s unreliable court system and for efforts against the country’s endemic corruption. But his initiatives have produced little tangible result.

Putin, who built his popularity on the back of strong economic growth, told the party congress on Friday that salaries and pensions would continue to grow, and he promised increased funding for education, health care and housing.

But he also cautioned that the government may need to take unpopular steps to cope with the global financial turmoil.

“The task of the government is not only to pour honey into a cup, but sometimes to give bitter medicine,” Putin said. “But this should always be done openly and honestly, and then the overwhelming majority of people will understand their government.”

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11 Comments
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    Mute Jimmy Murphy
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    Jan 12th 2016, 12:57 PM

    So many drivers out there don’t even notice pedestrians/cyclists, what hope do otters have?

    98
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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Jan 12th 2016, 1:23 PM

    So many pedestrians/cyclists out there don’t even notice drivers, what hope spotters have?

    31
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    Mute tax slave
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    Jan 12th 2016, 12:33 PM

    that’s otter rubbish. otters can’t read

    94
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    Mute Pat Forster
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    Jan 12th 2016, 1:40 PM

    Yes, I had a good laugh at the funny comments. I also feel sad that this article can’t be seen in a more positive light in that someone is trying to help the wildlife in this beautiful country, which should be cared for and cherished. Once it’s gone it will be very difficult to get back and future generations who might have woken up and realised what a precious asset we have and who mourn it’s loss will be wondering why we stood by and did nothing or, worse, made light of the efforts to preserve it!

    71
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    Mute Pat Gorman
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    Jan 12th 2016, 1:11 PM

    The most comical signs on the motorway from Dublin to Cork are the “Deer Jumping” signs.
    At 70+ MPH you ” ain’t gonna” avoid a deer who jumps in front of your car.
    Both you and the deer are RIP.

    31
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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jan 12th 2016, 1:40 PM

    Six hedgehogs were killed on the same stretch of road while holding a ‘white line’ protest about signage for otters being bumped up the waiting list by what they called ‘snobby otter advocacy groups’.

    31
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    Mute Joanna
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    Jan 12th 2016, 1:00 PM

    Drivers otter be careful from now on.

    21
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    Mute Patrick McGarry
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    Jan 12th 2016, 6:54 PM

    Fair play to Kildare co co. and the people of Kilcock for having the foresight to see the real reason for these signs, lets hope more local authorities follow suit.

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    Mute David O Donovan
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    Jan 12th 2016, 1:31 PM

    They should have signs for Beavers..I’ve seen a lot of Beavers in Kildare..

    14
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    Mute Neil Holland
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    Jan 12th 2016, 12:32 PM

    How do you “score” a sign?

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    Mute Laura-Anne
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    Jan 12th 2016, 12:40 PM

    Painfully. And with lubricant.

    69
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    Mute Rory McGuirk
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    Jan 12th 2016, 12:44 PM

    I see you’ve been down this road before Laura!

    46
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    Mute THE BIG LAD
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    Jan 12th 2016, 12:41 PM

    I thought it was one of Enda Kenny’s election posters!!

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    Mute Steve Mac
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    Jan 12th 2016, 1:07 PM

    That would just have a giant turd on it

    14
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    Mute Permo Dermo
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    Jan 12th 2016, 2:39 PM

    Or a wheezy rat

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    Mute Tara Connolly
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:48 PM

    Spencer, you made the news!!!

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    Mute Niamh Nic Conmhaoil
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    Jan 12th 2016, 1:12 PM

    Yeah

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    Mute Range Rover P38
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    Jan 12th 2016, 4:01 PM

    watch out anyone taking the DTT it WILL be there.

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