Prime minister Vladimir Putin?

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-13-2007 13:17

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a meeting with the Russian Chamber of Commerce leadership in the Kremlin in Moscow, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service)

Senior government officials say Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to respond swiftly to a proposal that he become prime minister after next year's presidential election.

Dmitry Medvedev, the president's preferred successor,has offered Putin the post if he wins presidency. Such a move would offer Putin a way to retain influence after stepping down. Li Xiang takes a look.

President Putin is due to step down next year, as the country's constitution doesn't allow a president to serve more than two consecutive terms.

But he has said he plans to keep an influential role after leaving office.

Medvedev says he backs Putin to become Prime Minister if he wins next year's presidential election.

So far, the president has not commented on the offer.

Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister, Sergei Ivanov, says Putin is unlikely to respond soon.

Some analysts agree, saying the consent may constrain Putin's maneuvers in the future.

But some residents say they favor Putin accepting the role as the country's no.2 in power.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a meeting with the Russian Chamber of Commerce leadership in the Kremlin in Moscow, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. (AP Photo/Natalia Kolesnikova, Pool)

Moscow Resident, said, "Putin and Medvedev are from the same team, and it is obvious that they will follow the same policies. And it is also clear that the real power will remain with the person who is currently president, whether he later becomes premier, or not."

Some analysts speculate Putin may try to rewrite the constitution in order to boost the powers of the prime minister.

Although his political allies have enough votes in the lower house of parliament to do so, Putin himself has ruled out the option.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei