Putin vows to observe spirit of Russia constitution
WIESBADEN, Germany (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin vowed on Monday to observe the word and spirit of the Russian constitution in upcoming elections but indicated he would continue to play a role in politics after leaving office.
Investors are searching for hints about what Putin will do and how much influence he could preserve when he steps down as president in 2008 after his second and final consecutive term.
A recent suggestion by Putin that he might become prime minister after stepping down was criticized by opponents as violating the spirit of the constitution, by allowing the Kremlin leader to preserve power after his term ends.
"In Russia not only the word but also the spirit of our constitution will be observed," Putin told reporters at a news briefing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"But that absolutely does not mean that representatives of the current authorities have no right to take part in the political life of their own country," Putin added.
Putin, in Germany to attend a forum with Merkel, said only Russian voters could decide who could take what part in the country's future political life. He added that many people valued his presidency highly.
"They are likely to have a high opinion of the results of your humble servant's work and those people who have worked with me over the past years," he said.
Putin, elected president in 2000 and again in 2004, is obliged by the constitution to step down by next May, though he could run again after the March 2008 elections because the law only bans consecutive terms.
He said last month that he would head the main governing party's national list of candidates in December elections, guaranteeing him a seat in the lower house (Duma).
BRITISH EXAMPLE
The United States has called on Putin to ensure elections are free and fair. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said last week on a trip to Moscow that there was too much concentration of power in the Kremlin.
But Putin hit back at western criticism of democratic backsliding in Russia by citing British Prime Minister Gordon Brown who took office in June after Tony Blair resigned.
"Look at the political life of other countries, look at your neighbor Great Britain -- one prime minister left and another comes in. The top person in executive power was changed without elections of any sort," Putin said.
"The conditions were clearly created for one party, which was in power, to continue in power," Putin said, referring to Britain's Labour Party.
Kremlin officials and many ordinary Russians credit Putin with building Russian influence abroad while cementing domestic political stability and spurring economic growth.
Opponents say Putin has built a system dangerously dependent on him while stifling media and democratic freedoms.
"There is no basis to be concerned about Russia getting on its feet again, about her economic, military might," Putin said. "It is impossible for anyone to prevent it."
