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    November 27, 2011

Putin Accepts His Party's Nomination for President

   VOA News
   Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, and Prime Minister Vladimir
   Putin, left, seen as arrive at the United Russia party congress in
   Moscow, November 27, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, and Prime Minister Vladimir
   Putin, left, seen as arrive at the United Russia party congress in
   Moscow, November 27, 2011.

   Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Sunday accepted the ruling
   United Russia party's nomination to run for president in elections next
   March 4.
   Putin, who stepped down in 2008 after two presidential terms, announced
   his intention to return as president last September. He has named
   President Dmitry Medvedev to be his prime minister, if elected.
   The planned job swap has angered many in Russia, who warn it would
   strengthen authoritarian trends and clear the way for Putin to become
   Russia's longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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