Putin set to retain authority

2007-12-11 07:26

Moscow - Russia's presidential campaign entered a decisive phase on Tuesday after President Vladimir Putin ended months of speculation to endorse a close ally as his successor.

Putin's surprise announcement on Monday transformed First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, a soft-spoken technocrat and chairperson of gas giant Gazprom, into clear frontrunner in the March 2, 2008, presidential election.

The nomination - which makes Medvedev, 42, so far the only serious candidate in the race - also kept the door open for Putin to retain power behind the throne, analysts said.

"I have known him for more than 17 years, I have worked with him closely all these years, and I completely and fully support this candidacy," Putin said on state-run Channel One after four political parties nominated Medvedev.

That statement was seen as virtually guaranteeing victory for Medvedev.

"On March 2, 2008, Medvedev will become the third president of Russia," news site www.gazeta.ru wrote.

Already on Tuesday the diminutive trained lawyer was due to meet with political leaders in the lower house of parliament, the State Duma - his first outing as Putin's designated successor.

No KGB history

The choice surprised some observers because Medvedev is a relative liberal in the Kremlin and unlike most of Putin's allies is not known to have served in the Soviet KGB. Although touted in the media as a possible successor he has never suggested he wanted the job.

However, analysts said Medvedev was an ideal choice if Putin, 55, wants to retain authority after ending his second consecutive term next year.

Putin has often said he wants to keep an important role, but not explained which.

Options considered most likely for Putin include becoming prime minister, heading the Kremlin Security Council, or even taking over as chief of a new state combining Russia and ex-Soviet republic Belarus - which Putin is due to visit on Thursday and Friday.

Medvedev, who heads a programme of government social projects and is outside the circle of hawkish officials dominating the Kremlin, owes his entire career to Putin.

"Medvedev is incapable of forming his own clan and he will always need Putin," Yury Korgunyuk, at the Indem Foundation, said.

Vladimir Pribylovsky, at the Panorama think tank, said Medvedev was loyal and "guarantees Putin the status quo".

- AFP