Putin Moves to Retake Presidency

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin hinted Friday that he is planning to retake his old job as president in 2012. Speaking to scholars and journalists in Moscow, Putin said that he and the current president, Dmitry Medvedev, will make a joint decision over who will hold the position next. "Was there any competition in 2007? No. Then we won't have this in 2012," Putin said. "We will agree because we are people of one stamp. We will take all these things into account and then decide." If Putin took over again in 2012, he would be allowed under the new constitution to stay in power for two six-year terms, meaning he could be in office until 2024.