Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has confirmed he will run for president next March after President Dmitry Medvedev proposed the idea.

Mr. Medvedev proposed Saturday that Mr. Putin run for president in 2012 elections, a move that would almost guarantee Mr. Putin's return to the post four years after he was legally forced to step down.

Mr. Medvedev, whose 2008 ascension to the presidency was backed by Mr. Putin, 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.

Opinion polls show Mr. Putin would almost certainly win the presidency if he runs. A Putin presidency would continue his longtime hold over Russian politics.

Under constitutional changes pushed by Mr. Medvedev, the new president will have a six-year term rather than the current four years.