Russia's Putin, Medvedev agree to swap roles

(Xinhua)

12:24, September 25, 2011

MOSCOW, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Saturday he would run for president in 2012 and suggested President Dmitry Medvedev should become prime minister after the elections.

ROLE SWITCH

Putin announced the long-awaited decision after being proposed by Medvedev at the ruling United Russia party's annual congress.

Putin, who currently serves as prime minister, also said he was confident Medvedev would become prime minister after the 2012 election and the ruling party would win the parliamentary elections in December.

"I am sure that United Russia will win and Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev will be able to build a new, efficient and young team and lead the government so as to continue modernization of all aspects of our lives," Putin was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying at the two-day congress, which began Friday in Moscow's Luzhniki sport complex.

In proposing Putin's candidacy, Medvedev said: "I believe it would be right if the congress support party leader Vladimir Putin's candidacy for president," he said.

Meanwhile, Medvedev agreed to head the ruling party's list for the Dec. 4 parliamentary elections, adding that he was ready to do some practical work in the government and continue modernization of the national economy.

The president also said he and Putin had "agreed long ago on who will do what following the elections."

"What we have proposed at the congress is a well-thought-out decision. Even more, we discussed, indeed, this version of developments at the time when our comradely union was formed," Medvedev said.

He hoped Russian citizens could trust the strategy and efficiency of the administration model set by him and Putin.

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