2008 Woodie Awards
Putin to seek prime minister position
Emily Riley
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: News
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Addressing the Congress of United Russia, the nation's dominant political faction, Putin accepted the party's offer to lead its candidate list for the December parliamentary elections.
"I accept with gratitude your offer to head the United Party list," Putin said on October 2.
According to Russia's federal constitution, an individual elected as president cannot serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. For Putin, this time limit will be exhausted in March of 2008.
Stuart Kaufman, professor of political science and international relations, said Putin has been careful not to commit himself to a specific plan of action.
"He hasn't made himself very clear in his intent," Kaufman said. "It's still in the realm of speculation. But he is also not such a fool to think that he can maintain the same power he held as president in the prime minister's position."
He said one theory is that Putin will follow the precedent of his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin.
"If the president resigns, as in the case of Yeltsin, the prime minister takes over as a temporary president until the federal election has been completed," Kaufman said. "In this case, the president then appoints a prime minister."
According to The New York Times, some analysts expect Putin, as the leader of United Russia, will assume the prime minister's office. Based on his popularity among Russian citizens and his notorious reputation in dealing with international issues, this political tactic has created much controversy.
Junior Aynsley Inglis, vice president of the Slavic Club, traveled to Russia over the summer. She stated in an e-mail message that it is no surprise Putin has the backing of Russian citizens.
"The current voting population remembers the hard struggle they went through at the end and after the fall of the socialist regime," Inglis said. "To them, Putin is a hero who has pulled them from poverty and turned a great many of the population toward success."
Kaufman said while Putin has made substantial advancements in Russia's economic and social spheres, his utilization of military forces and an internal political informant system have been sources of discord within and outside of Russia.
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