Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Putin Officially Running for Prez

United Russia party nominates him to run in March elections

By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 27, 2011 5:51 AM CST

(Newser) – Vladimir Putin has decided that he'd like to be Russia's top dog again, so his United Russia party today obliged him by formally nominating him to run for president in March's elections. Pooty-poot, who has relegated himself to the No. 2 prime minister job since 2008, has vowed to make handpicked successor and current president Dmitry Medvedev his new prime minister. The neat swap isn't going over well among Russians concerned with democracy, notes the AP, and could set Putin up to serve another 12 years.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks as Russian President Dmitry Medvedev listens during a United Russia party congress in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin are seen during a United Russia party congress in Moscow on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Presidential Press Service)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attends a Congress of United Russia party in Moscow on November 27, 2011. (Getty Images)

Delegates applaud Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during his speech at a Congress of United Russia party in Moscow on November 27, 2011. (Getty Images)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

45%

24%

12%

10%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Tyrant Putin's Return Bad News

He's made Russian elections a farce

(NEWSER) - The editors of the Washington Post congratulated Vladimir Putin today “on his exciting, come-from-behind victory to become Russia’s next president ,” won after a brilliant and moving electoral campaign. “Oh, no, wait. That’s not how things work in Russia today. Actually, the story is simpler: Vladimir Putin decided that he would like to be president again, and so he will be." In his years in power, “Putin has closed every avenue through which people might peacefully and legally select or even affect their government." More»

Today's Shocker: Medvedev Approved as Russia PM

Job swap with Putin now complete

(NEWSER) - Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin completed their long-anticipated job swap today, with Russia’s parliament approving Medvedev as prime minister, as had been expected. Medvedev, who received a 299-144 vote, will serve under Putin, who was inaugurated for his third term as president yesterday and quickly nominated Medvedev as PM. More»

Medvedev Rips 'Provocateurs, Extremists'

President offers some reforms, but opposition says not enough

(NEWSER) - Outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev used his final state-of-the-nation address today to offer reforms in the wake of the massive protests and upheaval that have gripped the country since the Dec. 4 parliamentary elections , but he also railed against the "provocateurs and extremists" who threaten stability, reports the AP . Russia needs "democracy, not chaos," said Medvedev, warning that "we won't allow any outside interference into our domestic affairs." More»

New Russian Prez Digs Hard Rock, Putin

In Medvedev, quirky résumé masks loyal junior partner

(NEWSER) - Trivia on Russian president-elect Dmitry Medvedev—that he is a swimmer, a yoga lover, and Deep Purple buff—merely masks a man wholly devoted to Vladimir Putin, New Yorker editor David Remnick writes. "Trivia domesticated even the worst Soviet-era résumés," he reminds us: Catherine the Great loved horses, Nicholas II photography, and Alexander III the French horn. Medvedev's pastimes are just as trivial. More»

Medvedev Wins in a Landslide

Putin pupil has asked current prez to be PM

(NEWSER) - On par with expectations, Dmitry Medvedev has won Russia’s presidential election with 69.6% of the vote, an exit poll says. His closest rival took just 17.2%. The victory likely means little change for Russia, as Medvedev has asked current president Vladimir Putin to be his prime minister after Putin leaves office in May, Reuters reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Putin Officially Running for Prez

United Russia party nominates him to run in March elections

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Russia • Vladimir Putin • Russian democracy • Dmitry Medvedev • Russian elections • Russian president

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Tyrant Putin's Return Bad News

He's made Russian elections a farce

Today's Shocker: Medvedev Approved as Russia PM

Job swap with Putin now complete

Medvedev Rips 'Provocateurs, Extremists'

President offers some reforms, but opposition says not enough

New Russian Prez Digs Hard Rock, Putin

In Medvedev, quirky résumé masks loyal junior partner

Medvedev Wins in a Landslide

Putin pupil has asked current prez to be PM

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?