Russian President Vladimir Putin is not going to be idle after the expiry of his presidential term in 2008

Saturday, March 6, 2021

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is not going to be idle after the expiry of his presidential term in 2008, the more so as he already “has ideas” for his future occupation. The head of state acknowledged that the future career of people working with him should not pose “a political problem” either. He said he had not yet thought of instructions to his successor at the presidential post. “I will certainly work,” Putin said in an interview with foreign reporters when asked what he intended to do after the expiration of his term of office. “I cannot yet say where I will work and in what capacity; all I can say is that l have certain ideas on this score, but it is yet too early to speak of that.” “Even according to Russia’s present legislation, I am still many years away from the pensionable age, and it would be absurd to be idle, wasting my time,” the president believes. “I would not like to talk yet about what I will do,” Putin repeated. “To be honest, it would not be serious to agitate the public opinion in Russia” he noted. “Let us wait and see; much will depend on how the political process shapes in Russia at the end of this year and early next year. There are various plans.” Asked about whom he would like to see as the next president, Putin again gave rather a broad definition. “First of all, it must be an honest person, a person of integrity, a high professional, a person with experience of work having a good, positives reputation in one’s region or at the federal level,” he said, “that is, the person in whom the overwhelming majority of Russian voters would show confidence during canvassing and the election,” the president said. True, Putin has not yet thought of the instructions to his successor at the highest state post. “I have not though of them yet; it is a bit too early,” he said, smiling, answering this question. Regarding his present “team”, the president expressed the confidence that those who work in the presidential administration must have no problems with their careers, even though the question of employment is, certainly, important. “But there exists no, nor can there be any political problem for an honest, upright citizen of the country who worked dedicatedly for its benefit,” he said. The president also said that the members of his family have least of all regrets that the time of his presidency is coming to an end. Asked if his wife is looking forward to the expiry of his presidential duties, Putin said,” Yes, eagerly so.” “She has never expected me to become president, and has absolutely no regrets that the term of powers is running out,” the head of state said. “This (presidential work) in general is a certain strain on the family, and while l am compensated in a certain degree by the fact of my activities, the members of my family have no such compensation, and they are not finding it easy, they have many restrictions,” he said. Putin preferred not to compare the results of his work at the highest state post with any one’s. “Time will pass, and specialists, citizens of the country, experts will be able to make an objective assessment of what I have been able to achieve in my work as Russian president for eight years,” he said. “I do believe there are things I and people who worked with me can undoubtedly be proud of,” the president said, noting the restoration of territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, the strengthening of the state as such, advance toward creating a multi-party system in Russia, consolidation of parliamentarism, restoration of the potential of the Armed Forces and development of the economy.” “Many things, certainly, have not yet been done,” Putin acknowledged, mentioning the fight on poverty and the solution of demographic problems as the most topical tasks.

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