Putin to return as Russian president

Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will return to his former post as President in 2012 after he and President Dmitry Medvedev announced they were switching jobs.

The announcement was made on the 24 September 2011 at the annual conference of United Russia, the hegemonic party that controls two-thirds of Russia’s parliament.

The announcement confirmed the long-held impression that Mr Medvedev was only ever a place holder for Mr Putin, who was constitutionally prohibited from a third term after serving as president from 2000-2008. He will now be able to service for two more six year terms.

BBC News, 30.9.11: Vladimir Putin is more popular than me, says Medvedev http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15124345

ESO: Background information: It doesn’t matter who is president of Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/it-doesnt-matter-who-is-president-of-russia/

France24, 25.9.11: Medvedev backs Putin for president in 2012 election http://www.france24.com/en/20110924-medvedev-supports-putin-president-elections-russia

Deutsche Welle, 25.9.11: US and Germany vow to continue progress with Putin's Russia http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15414654,00.html

BBC News, 24.9.11: Russia's Putin set to return as president in 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15045816

BBC News, 26.9.11: Putin 'will not end Russia impasse' - Gorbachev http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15060294

EurActiv, 26.9.11: Putin, Medvedev seal power-sharing agreement http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/putin-medvedev-seal-power-sharing-agreement-news-507903

Gazeta Wyborcza, 26.9.11: Roly-poly Putin to be president again (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu//en/content/news-brief-cover/990521-roly-poly-putin-be-president-again

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