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Russia's Medvedev thinks Putin will name his favourite in 2008 vote in autumn
RIA-Novosti

Moscow, 5 July (Moscow dateline): Russia's first deputy prime minister, Dmitriy Medvedev, thinks that Vladimir Putin may announce his support for one of the candidates for president in the 2008 election in the autumn of this year.

In an interview published in Thursday's (5 July) edition of Vedomosti newspaper, the first deputy prime minister recalls Putin's statement that he will decide on his preferences in due course. "When could this happen? Sooner or later this will happen because there are rules of the genre, and it is obvious that in the autumn political battles and election campaigns will be in full swing. It seems that all the main events will take place during this period," said Medvedev.

Asked whether he had taken a decision as regards the presidential election, the first deputy prime minister said: "For the time being, I am working in this office, and I hold a very serious post - the post of first deputy chairman of the government. There is a lot of work to do here".

Medvedev said that for the time being he is not planning to join any party. He however did not rule out the setting up of a party-based cabinet in the future.

"I think that in the future the setting up of a full-fledged party-based cabinet is quite possible ... this is absolutely normal even with a strong presidential system in place, which, due to legal, historical and geographic reasons, is extremely important for our country," said Medvedev.

He said that it is natural for cabinet members to be party members.

"I have been offered to join the party, but I have not yet made any plans," Medvedev said, adding that he has not yet closed this issue.