Putin makes case for leading Russia
Source: Agencies |
October 19, 2011, Wednesday
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PRIME Minister Vladimir Putin laid out his case for a return to Russia's top office in a televised interview, casting himself as the best guarantor of a bright future for the country.
Putin also offered hints of the foreign policy he might pursue during his presidency, saying Russia will not "put on the mantle of some superpower" and punch above its weight, but warning it would fiercely defend its interests.
In some of his most extensive comments since he revealed plans to reclaim the Kremlin in a March election next year, Putin, who could serve two six-year presidential terms, said he intends to stay in power until he feels his job is done.
"When I take something on, I try to take it to its logical conclusion, or at least to the maximum effect," he said.
"It is not the number of terms or years in power" that matters, said Putin, who was president from 2000-08. He invoked the late US President Franklin Roosevelt, who died during his fourth term, to support his case.
"He led the country in the toughest times of economic depression and during World War II, and he was elected four times because he acted effectively," Putin said.
"When a country is experiencing difficult conditions, when it is emerging from crisis and getting back to its feet, these elements of stability - including in the political sphere - are extremely important."
He also indicated most Russians want him back, saying "I very often hear from people, ordinary people whom I meet often in different regions of the country, that many would like events to develop precisely this way."
Putin steered Dmitry Medvedev into the presidency in 2008 after serving the legal limit of two straight terms. Last month, they revealed plans for a job swap, with Putin running for president and making Medvedev his prime minister.
But while popularity means Putin is expected to have little trouble winning the presidency, he suggested Medvedev's appointment as prime minister would depend on the ruling United Russia Party's performance in December's parliamentary election.
Medvedev will lead United Russia's list of candidates, making him responsible for the tough task of maintaining the party's two-thirds majority in the lower house in the face of declining popularity.
Putin said: "If the voters vote for this list and we manage to form an effective parliament in which United Russia retains its leading position, then Medvedev will be able to form an effective government."
On foreign policy, Putin said Russia would protect its interests - a warning to the US and Europe not to interfere with efforts to forge closer ties with former Soviet republics.
Putin also offered hints of the foreign policy he might pursue during his presidency, saying Russia will not "put on the mantle of some superpower" and punch above its weight, but warning it would fiercely defend its interests.
In some of his most extensive comments since he revealed plans to reclaim the Kremlin in a March election next year, Putin, who could serve two six-year presidential terms, said he intends to stay in power until he feels his job is done.
"When I take something on, I try to take it to its logical conclusion, or at least to the maximum effect," he said.
"It is not the number of terms or years in power" that matters, said Putin, who was president from 2000-08. He invoked the late US President Franklin Roosevelt, who died during his fourth term, to support his case.
"He led the country in the toughest times of economic depression and during World War II, and he was elected four times because he acted effectively," Putin said.
"When a country is experiencing difficult conditions, when it is emerging from crisis and getting back to its feet, these elements of stability - including in the political sphere - are extremely important."
He also indicated most Russians want him back, saying "I very often hear from people, ordinary people whom I meet often in different regions of the country, that many would like events to develop precisely this way."
Putin steered Dmitry Medvedev into the presidency in 2008 after serving the legal limit of two straight terms. Last month, they revealed plans for a job swap, with Putin running for president and making Medvedev his prime minister.
But while popularity means Putin is expected to have little trouble winning the presidency, he suggested Medvedev's appointment as prime minister would depend on the ruling United Russia Party's performance in December's parliamentary election.
Medvedev will lead United Russia's list of candidates, making him responsible for the tough task of maintaining the party's two-thirds majority in the lower house in the face of declining popularity.
Putin said: "If the voters vote for this list and we manage to form an effective parliament in which United Russia retains its leading position, then Medvedev will be able to form an effective government."
On foreign policy, Putin said Russia would protect its interests - a warning to the US and Europe not to interfere with efforts to forge closer ties with former Soviet republics.
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