BEIJING. June 20 (Interfax) - Vladimir Putin will not run in the 2008 presidential elections, but that does not mean the "Putin era" is over, political scientist Vyacheslav Nikonov said.

"I can say definitely that the name of the next Russian president will not be 'Putin,'" Nikonov said at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Nikonov is attending the 10th meeting of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions in Beijing as chairman of the Public Chamber's Commission for International Cooperation and People's Diplomacy.

"The constitution will not undergo any changes until March 2008, when presidential elections will be held," he said.

"But this does not mean the Putin era is over. He is only 54, he is a very popular politician and, in accordance with the constitution, may be elected again, in four years' time, for instance. So he may have a third, a forth and even fifth term," Nikonov said.

Speaking about the Public Chamber's position on the issue, leader of the Russian delegation, Public Chamber Secretary Academician Yevgeny Velikhov said, "The president has not shown any initiative (for a third presidential run.) On the contrary, he says he will not (run.