Russian president proposes Putin for presidential elections

Medvedev’s proposal was made in an address on Saturday during a congress of United Russia. According to Russian media, there was no immediate official reaction from Putin or the party, but the proposal repeatedly brought a heavy round of applause from the congress delegates.

Putin became prime minister in 2008 after serving two terms as president. He had to step down because of constitutional term limits.

Following amendments in the constitution, the presidential term in 2012 will be increased from four to six years.

News agency AP reports that if Putin wins the coming elections, he will be in a position of nearly “unchallengeable power”.