Putin hints at new role after he steps down; Opposes changing constitution to allow 3d termPresident Vladimir Putin told the nation yesterday that he was against changing the constitution to extend his rule, but he dropped a vague hint about a mysterious new role he might assume after stepping down. The remarks, in a televised question-and-answer session with the public, were likely to fuel speculation that the Kremlin was mulling ways for Putin to remain at the helm after his second and final terms ends in 2008. Some saw his statement as an attempt to assuage concerns among his inner circle about succession.
‘’I see my task as not sitting in the Kremlin eternally so that the same face will be shown on TV. . . . I see my task as creating conditions for the country’s long-term development, so that young and literate managers come to govern the country,” Putin said with a thin smile in response to a question on whether he could run for a third term.
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COMMENTS / 3 COMMENTS
theCardinal added these pithy words on 28 Sep 05 at 2:27 pmIt appears that Putin wants to follow the Chinese model of succession. Recall that in the end Deng Xiaoping was technically only the head of the Chinese Bridge (as in cards) Association, but no one doubted who ran things. Jiang Zemin tried a similar strategy but was outmanuevered by the wily Hu Jintao. Putin wants to sit in the background and play kingmaker. I doubt that Russia will find someone as canny as Hu or that Putin will allow himself to be fooled like Jiang.
Adamu added these pithy words on 28 Sep 05 at 9:45 pmI read that as “an attempt to sausage concerns” at first. I hope it works!
Albert added these pithy words on 27 Oct 05 at 3:38 pmBasicly most people think he will become Chairman of Gazprom after he leaves and prior to that he will reform the Judiciary to enact its’ independance in order to curb the ability of the next person in the presidents seat to have as much power as he had.
BTW the acts to reform the judiciary are already there waiting they will probably be refined and enacted a year or two prior to him leaving.
