By Xinhua
Moscow : Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday he would lead the dominant United Russia party in the parliamentary elections scheduled for December and may seek premiership after second term ends.
“I am accepting your invitation to lead United Russia with gratitude,” Putin was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying at the United Russia’s pre-election congress.
Meanwhile, the president said he may consider to contest the premiership on two conditions after his presidency expires.
“Leading the Cabinet is quite realistic a proposal, but time is not ripe to consider it yet. At least two conditions will have to be met,” Putin was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.
“Firstly, United Russia is to emerge the winner in the State Duma elections on December 2, and, secondly, in the presidential seat there must be a decent, capable, effective and modern-type politician, with whom I might work in tandem,” he said.
Putin’s second term as president expires in 2008 and he is barred by the Constitution from running for a third term.
