Putin: I’m Not Going Anywhere

Although term limits require Russian President Vladimir Putin to step down in May, many, including chess wizard and opposition leader Garry Kasparov, have speculated that he will find some way to maintain his influence. Putin, it seems, agrees, saying that if his party wins the next election, he will have the “moral right to hold those in the Duma and the Cabinet responsible for the implementation” of his policies.

AP via New York Times:

“If the people vote for United Russia, it means that a clear majority of the people put their trust in me, and in turn that means I will have the moral right to hold those in the Duma and the Cabinet responsible for the implementation of the tasks that have been set as of today,” Putin said.

“In what form I will do this, I cannot yet give a direct answer. But various possibilities exist,” he said, in response to a question from a construction worker who asked why he had decided to lead the United Russia ticket.

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