Putin preparing Kremlin comeback next year

MOSCOW: President Dmitry Medvedev's proposal to extend the presidential term in Russia paves the way for Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency in 2009, the media reported on Thursday, citing Kremlin sources.

The Vedomosti daily cited a source close to the presidential administration as saying that the proposal, made by Medvedev in a speech on Wednesday, would lead to elections and was part of a broader plan for Putin's comeback.
Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told AFP on Thursday that there were no plans for elections next year but refused to deny that the current prime minister could run for president again at some point in the future.

"As far as I know there are no elections next year. Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) is the prime minister and he wants to work as prime minister. Dmitry Anatolyevich (Medvedev) intends to work as president," Peskov said. Asked whether Putin might consider running for president again at some point in the future, he said: Medvedev's "presidential term has only just begun. It's impossible to talk about this now."

The Vedomosti report cited a Kremlin source as saying that Medvedev was chosen by Putin in order to "carry out the necessary constitutional changes and unpopular social reforms for Putin to then return to the Kremlin for longer."
"Medvedev can resign early, saying this is because the constitution has to be changed, and then a presidential vote can be held in 2009," the source said.

Putin had to stand down earlier this year after two consecutive terms in office. He designated Medvedev as his successor, virtually guaranteeing him an election victory because of Putin's massive popularity among Russians.
Russia's constitution does not prevent an ex-president from holding office again, as long as he is not running immediately after his two terms are over.

"Putin's election campaign has basically already started," Vedomosti cited another source close to the Kremlin administration as saying. The source also said Putin would give a campaign-style speech at a congress of his United Russia party on November 20.