Putin officially supports Medvedev

Vladimir Putin has announced he wants to become Russia's next Prime Minister in March 2008 when he hopes Dmitry Medvedev wins the elections to become Russian President.

Both Medvedev and Putin share the ideals of political stability and it is thought that Putin wants Medvedev to open up Russia more to market forces when they are favourable to Russia's interests in the next term.

Minister of Defense Sergei B.Ivanov a dominant siloviki, has proved he has good political and foreign diplomatic skills and can speak English well. Many Russians consider him conservative in home affairs but also more willing to create diplomatic diaglogue with the West. But it looks as if Putin's announcement has ended much of Ivanov's political ambitions judging by his recent comments on Russian Television.


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'' Medvedev's nomination puts an end to such speculations and some expectations. Now, everything is extremely clear and understandable,''

'' I am absolutely convinced that, if elected, he will be a successful president,''

'' I will calmly continue performing my duties set by the President as a member of the current government,'' he said adding, '' I believe that I am responsible for quite a serious set of issues. This is not only industry but also transport, communications, space, the Military-Industrial Commission and so on. There's enough work for me.''
Sergei B Ivanov

Putin himself was a relatively unknown candidate until he won the last presidential elections and it is thought that Dmitry Medvedev will follow this tradition into the Kremlin.

Sergei Sobyanin, formerly governor of the oil-rich Tyumen region is another possible candidate although he does have a KGB background. Sobyanin is considered a centralist in his political ideology but is not directly linked to any Kremlin faction which can be seen as advantagous in todays market orientated Russia. He differs from Medvedev in his theories about state control and free market policies favouring more state involvement.
There is no doubt that Putin's support of Medvedev makes him the clear favourite as things stand at the moment.