Russian President Dmitry Medvedev proposed Saturday that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin run for president in 2012 elections, almost guaranteeing Mr. Putin's return to office four years after he was legally forced to step down.
Mr. Putin said he was honored by Mr. Medvedev's proposal.
Mr. Medvedev told the annual congress of ruling party United Russia that he is prepared to take on what he called “practical work” in the government after the March presidential polls. Mr. Putin told party delegates he would propose that Mr. Medvedev head the party list for the elections and become prime minister in a new Putin presidency.
Under constitutional changes pushed by Mr. Medvedev, the new president will have a six-year term rather than the current four years.