Putin´s ally registered as presidential candidate

Source: Xinhua | 01-22-2008 08:13

MOSCOW, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia's election authorities on Monday registered First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as a candidate in presidential elections scheduled for March 2.

Russia's First Deputy Premier and presidential nominee Dmitry Medvedev signs papers as he submits his documents to be registered as a candidate in March 2008 presidential election at the Central Election Commission in Moscow,  Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007.(Xinhua/AFP File Photo)

Medvedev, nominated by the ruling United Russia party and endorsed by President Vladimir Putin, is seen as a front-runner in the race. Putin has said Medvedev, 42, is the "best choice" among candidates for the country's top job after he steps down.

Putin himself is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term but Medvedev pledged to continue Putin's policies following the incumbent president's nod to his nomination by pro-Kremlin parties. He has hailed the economic progress and growing international influence of Russia under Putin.

Medvedev, a former law professor and a close ally of Putin, was promoted to the position of presidential chief of staff in 2003 and was named first deputy prime minister in 2005, following in Putin's footsteps.

Medvedev was reappointed to the same position in a September 2007 government reshuffle and is in charge of the economy and social development, including public health, education and housing.

Several other candidates have also submitted documents for their registration.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei