Russian President Vladimir Putin entered the race for December parliamentary elections and suggested he could become prime minister, setting out a road map for retaining power after his term runs out next year.
Putin's bombshell on Monday is certain to keep him front and center of Russia's political stage through the parliamentary vote, and could be a key part of a strategy to stay there for years.
The popular Putin, 54, is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in the March presidential election. He has strongly indicated that he would seek to keep a hand on Russia's reins after he steps down, but has remained coy about his specific plans.
His remarks at a congress of the dominant, Kremlin-controlled United Russia party hint at a clear scenario in which Putin could remake himself as a powerful prime minister and eclipse a weakened president.
Putin told ecstatic leaders of United Russia that his name will top its ticket in the Dec. 2 elections to the State Duma, the lower parliament house -- a huge show of support from a president who has always sought to remain above the grit of party politics.
He called a proposal that he become prime minister "entirely realistic," but added it was still "too early to think about it." For him to consider it, he said, first United Russia would have to win the elections and Russia elect as president a "decent, competent, effective, modern person with whom it would be possible to work in tandem."
Putin's name on the ticket will make the first task much easier. Laden with senior officials who can use the media, law enforcement and other levers to pressure opponents and influence voting nationwide, the party already has a huge advantage, and Putin's powerful support could ensure it retains the two-thirds majority needed in the Duma to approve changes in the Constitution.
Putin said he would not actually join United Russia and leading the party's ticket does not oblige him to take a seat in parliament; prominent figures are often given the top spots to attract votes, but stay out of the legislature after elections.
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