MOSCOW. Oct 1 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to lead the United Russia party list at the elections to the State Duma is "logical and gives a chance to make a distinction between the term 'power' and the term 'political leadership' after the presidential election," said Gleb Pavlovsky, head of the Effective Politics Foundation.

"This is the most logical decision. It finally eliminates an imaginary problem of a successor, which suggested that after stepping down as president Putin must hand over to somebody his influence and political reputation and retreat into the shadows," Pavlovsky said in an interview with Interfax on Monday.

As a leader of "the most powerful political party", Putin will find himself at the center of the country's leadership even after stepping down. "He will be a figure that neither the president nor the premier will be able to surpass," Pavlovsky said.

The decision made by Putin today is a step toward political pluralism, Pavlovsky said. "After May 2008, the president will cease to be the only all-mighty figure in the country," he said.

"This is a revolutionary step. For the first time since 1991, the center of influence may shift from the Kremlin. The president will remain in the Kremlin, but will not necessarily be a national leader," Pavlovsky said.

"After the 2008 presidential election, power and leadership will be distinguished as two different political phenomena. This is a very serious step towards a real pluralism in the country," the political analyst said.