United Russia Backs Putin for 2012 Election

April 14, 2011

The ruling United Russia party wants Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to stand in the 2012 presidential election, a top party official said Thursday.

"As for the party's position on the 2012 elections, United Russia will orient itself on its leader Vladimir Putin," said Yury Shuvalov, deputy secretary of the presidium of the party's General Council, Interfax reported.

"Of course, we'd like to see Putin head the United Russia party list in December" for the State Duma vote, Shuvalov said. "And it's his candidacy that we're considering in the first place when deciding on a party candidate for the presidential elections."

Putin heads United Russia without being a member. Uncertainty over whether he will return to the presidency, which he held in 2000-08, or back incumbent Dmitry Medvedev has pushed factions of the political elite to weigh in on the issue.

Both Putin and Medvedev have hinted they may run in the election, but each has said they will make the decision together.

(Reuters, MT)

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue