Putin may return to Kremlin in '09: report
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Thu Nov 6, 1:17 am ET

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev could resign from
his post in 2009 to pave the way for Vladimir Putin to return to the
Kremlin, Vedomosti newspaper reported on Thursday, citing an
unidentified source close to the Kremlin.

Medvedev Wednesday proposed increasing the presidential term to six
years from four years, a step the newspaper said was part of a plan
drawn up by Vladislav Surkov, who serves as Medvedev's first deputy
chief of staff.

Under the plan, Medvedev could implement changes to the constitution and
unpopular social reforms "so that Putin could return to the Kremlin for
a longer period," the newspaper said.

"Under this scenario Medvedev could resign early citing changes to the
constitution and then presidential elections could take place in 2009,"
the newspaper said, citing the unidentified source close to the Kremlinl.

The paper said Putin, who is currently prime minister, could then rule
for two six year terms, so from 2009 to 2021. The paper cited Putin's
spokesman as saying he saw no reason for Putin to return to power in 2009.

Investors, already jittery over the impact of the financial crisis on
Russia's economic boom, are trying to work out who is really in charge
of Russia, the biggest question for those seeking to ascertain political
risk.

They are seeking any details on how the current set up -- with Medvedev
as president and Putin as prime minister -- could change. During
Medvedev's speech Wednesday the Russian stock market erased most of the
gains it made earlier in the day.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge, editing by Alison Williams)