Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced that he would run for president in 2012. Putin has served as the country’s president for two terms already, from 2000 to 2008. In the announcement made, Putin suggested that current president Dmitry Medvedev should take over as prime minister. Provided the party wins parliamentary elections, it would be a clean swap of roles.
Under the leadership of Putin and Medvedev, Russia has slowly been restoring its economic growth. The political move, however, strikes some as trying to keep the status quo. According to Daniel Treisman, a professor of political science at the University of California, key decisions have always been made by Putin, with Medvedev providing advice. “Switching places, although hardly an inspired move, is the simplest way to stir the waters without fear of rocking the boat,” Treisman said.
