Putin heading for fourth term as Russian president

VLADIMIR Putin yesterday declared his intention to seek re-election as Russian president next March, a vote he appears certain to win.

Mr Putin, 65, has been in power since 2000, either as president or prime minister, and victory next year will make him eligible to serve until 2024.

He chose an enthusiastic audience of factory workers in the city of Nizhny Novgorod to make the announcement. ‘I couldn’t find a better place and moment for that,’ he said, to massive applause.

The Russian leader served two presidential terms from 2000 until 2008, then shifted into the prime minister’s seat because the country’s constitution limits the president to two consecutive terms.

But Mr Putin continued calling the shots while his ally, Dmitry Medvedev, served as president. Mr Medvedev had the presidential term extended to six years and then stepped down to let Mr Putin reclaim the presidency in 2012. Mr Putin’s approval ratings top 80 per cent, making him certain to win an easy first round.