Vladimir Putin has given his clearest hint yet that he is preparing to get his old job back as president during a masterful performance at his annual question and answer session with the Russian public.Putin, currently prime minister, spent more than four hours answering carefully screened questions from across Russia on subjects including the Lada car and whether the Iranians have built a nuclear bomb yet.Asked by a mining student whether he wants to be president again, Putin replied: "I will think about it," adding "There's still plenty of time."
Vladimir Putin has given his clearest hint yet that he is preparing to get his old job back as president during a masterful performance at his annual question and answer session with the Russian public.
Putin, currently prime minister, spent more than four hours answering carefully screened questions from across Russia on subjects including the Lada car and whether the Iranians have built a nuclear bomb yet.
Asked by a mining student whether he wants to be president again, Putin replied: "I will think about it," adding "There's still plenty of time."
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has held a question-and-answer session with the public, commenting on issues ranging from his political career and terrorism, to the financial crisis and Iran. The prime minister's annual televised question-and-answer session on Thursday was accompanied by intense speculation that he may be planning to return to the country's top job after the term of President Dmitry Medvedev expires in 2012. Putin was president from 2000 to 2008 before switching roles due to constitutional restraints prohibiting a third consecutive term. Putin said he would consider running for president again. "I will think about it, but there is plenty of time," the prime minister said. "I think now, however, whatever your position, you must do your duty. My decision to take part in the 2012 presidential election depends on the social and economic situation. It is only 2009," he said. Asked whether he would consider leaving politics altogether, he responded: "Don't hold your breath."
The prime minister's annual televised question-and-answer session on Thursday was accompanied by intense speculation that he may be planning to return to the country's top job after the term of President Dmitry Medvedev expires in 2012.
Putin was president from 2000 to 2008 before switching roles due to constitutional restraints prohibiting a third consecutive term.
Putin said he would consider running for president again.
"I will think about it, but there is plenty of time," the prime minister said. "I think now, however, whatever your position, you must do your duty. My decision to take part in the 2012 presidential election depends on the social and economic situation. It is only 2009," he said.
Asked whether he would consider leaving politics altogether, he responded: "Don't hold your breath."
