From The Australian,
RUSSIAN Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has decided to run for the presidency next year, raising the possibility of a power struggle with his protege Dmitry Medvedev, the incumbent Kremlin leader, say highly placed sources.
The once-close relationship between Mr Putin, the tough-talking former KGB officer who has inspired a personality cult, and Mr Medvedev, a softly spoken Twitter enthusiast, has become increasingly fractious amid speculation in Moscow that the younger man wishes to stand again.
Insiders familiar with both leaders said Mr Putin, who served eight years as president before becoming Prime Minister three years ago, had begun to lose confidence in Mr Medvedev's loyalty.
Under the constitution, Mr Putin's move to reclaim the presidency could see him rule for two consecutive six-year terms until 2024, when he will be 72. If so, he would have served as prime minister or president for 24 years in all.
You knew the former KGB officer wasn't going away. But does anyone really think the world would be better off with him heading Russia than Medvedev? Will Putin win? Chance are he'll find a way to win, legal or otherwise.
Shoes,,,Really? Who ever thought that Putin did not run things thete?
ReplyDeleteBeing this is all over on the Drudge Report considered "news" I myself had to laugh as Putin never gave up being in charge, it is but a title game ius all.
I didn't mean for that to come off as surprise. more like sarcasm. What I'm hoping is that with Medvedev having gained some credibility domestically, maybe he'll stand a chance. That being said Pinocchio aside, puppets rarely succeed.
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