Putin wants to have influence after term
By MIKE ECKEL, Associated Press Writer Thu Sep 20, 5:25 PM ET
MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin said he will retain influence in Russia after stepping down following next year's presidential elections, according to a Kremlin statement on Thursday.
With just six months remaining before presidential elections, speculation has run rampant in Russia about Putin's intentions after his term second, consecutive term in office ends. The president has repeatedly said he does not intend to try and stay on, though he has also said he expects to retain significant influence afterward.
"Of course, I will have a presence here. I have not yet exactly decided for myself what I will occupy myself with, but no matter what it is, I understand that some sort of influence will remain," Putin was quoted as saying.
"This will also depend on what I will directly be involved in — if it's just political work or something else," he said. "But I will again repeat — I am not going to use this influence to destabilize or weaken the current authorities. My purpose consists of ensuring that Russia remains stable."
The Russian leader made the comments to a group of visiting international academics during a meeting in the Black Sea port of Sochi last Friday. The Kremlin posted a transcript from the meeting on its Web site Thursday.
Putin wants to have influence after term
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