Russian PM Putin defends bid for presidency

12 Nov BBC

The Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, has defended his decision to stand in next year’s presidential election.

He denied it was a quest to retain personal power, insisting that he needed longer to raise living standards and make Russia stronger.

He is the overwhelming favourite to return to the position he first held 12 years ago.

But critics say his political influence is an increasingly destructive force.

However, at a dinner in Moscow with foreign specialists of Russia, Mr Putin vigorously defended himself.

Cosy It has become a tradition: the annual face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin granted to foreign experts invited by the Russian government to discuss the state of Russian politics as part of the so-called Valdai club.

Sometimes he summons us to his Black Sea villa in Sochi. Sometimes the encounter is at a government guest house outside Moscow.

This year, for a change, we were taken to the livery yard in the countryside outside Moscow where Prime Minister Putin keeps his horses.

In the stables a magnificent white mare tossed her long mane coquettishly. Curious stallions peered down at us. One poked out his nose, apparently hoping for a carrot. At the Manezh nearby, expert riders were practising dressage. Outside thick flakes of snow fell steadily. In the newly-opened French restaurant attached to the complex, we found an open fire awaiting us. Leather-bound fake books and a grand piano added to the convivial atmosphere. Behind glass cabinet doors, there was an impressive array of Armagnac with labels going back to the 1880s. Nothing but the best for Russia’s soon-to-be once-again president.

“We thought it would be more cosy to meet here,” explained one of his aides, “less formal than a government guest house.”

After three-and-a-half hours Vladimir Putin himself appeared. His aides gave the excuse that he preferred to wait till the Friday night rush hour subsided, since Moscow drivers caught in traffic jams got irritated when his governmental cortege, flanked by outriders and police cars, overtook them all.

In he walked, and shook hands with everyone. At table, as usual, he drank tea and ignored the food, holding forth with vigorous attention on a wide array of topics. Top priority for many of those present was the recent news that he planned to come back as President. If he wins next year’s elections as expected, in theory he could be Russian president till 2024 - in power one way or another for nearly a quarter of a century. Stability A debate with Moscow-based colleagues earlier in the week had already been illuminating. Many former Putin supporters seemed aghast at the prospect of the man who had already ruled them for 12 years coming back for more.