Putin to decide whether to run for president again
 

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he had **t yet decided whether to run for re-election in 2018, but promised **t to change the constitution to allow him to keep on running for Russia´s top political post indefinitely.

Putin, who has dominated Russia´s political landscape for the last 17 years and boasts strong popularity ratings, is widely expected to run for, and win, his fourth presidential term in March next year.

Speaking during a question-and-answer session with school children in the Black Sea resort of Sochi which analysts said was designed to widen his support base among young people, Putin, 64, said: “Do I need to continue my work in this capacity - I haven´t decided yet.”

I have **t yet decided whether to leave my post as president or **t. After I address this issue, I will think about what to do next. “When asked whether he had a presidential successor in mind, Putin did **t name any names, saying that choice would be up to the Russian people.

Putin served two presidential terms before stepping down in 2008 to become prime minister to avoid a constitutional bar on running for a third consecutive term.

He returned to the presidency in 2012 for a**ther term and is legally entitled to serve for a fourth term as well. Some political commentators have suggested however that Putin could change the constitution to allow him to stay on as president for a fifth term past 2024. The Russian leader ruled that out on Friday. “I had an opportunity, they even asked me to change the constitution.

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