Russia looks to prospect of future without Vladimir as sources say he has considered quitting
Source: The Independent
For a long time, it has seemed that the only person unsure he will run in the presidential elections next March is Vladimir Putin. The people expect it, his opponents are sure of it, his entourage is convinced of it. But Russia’s president is delaying.
Vladimir Putin is, sources say, tired. And he is reluctant to engage in a major national election - again. The campaign will be reduced to a bare minimum; there will be no repeat of the exhausting test of the 2011-2012 elections, when Mr. Putin declared his candidacy six months early.
The absolute deadline for registration depends on whether Mr. Putin runs as an independent or on a party platform. But most expect a declaration no earlier than mid-December.
The opposition, unable even to agree on a unity candidate, is of course unlikely to make a breakthrough. The controversial candidacy of TV personality Ksenia Sobchak has split the anti-Kremlin vote. Whether she will be allowed to participate is still, sources say, under discussion. The technocratic head of Putin’s administration, Sergei Kiriyenko believes her presence would add sparkle; others are less convinced.
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/there-can-be-no-second-putin-russia-looks-to-prospect-of-future-without-vladimir-as-sources-say-he-has-considered-quitting/ar-BBFcu37?OCID=ansmsnnews11
Putin to retire - to run things behind the scenes?
= new reply since forum marked as read
If he really is planning on retiring (it's possible, I guess), he'll still be very much the power behind the throne - and not just Moscow's.
It's well known that Putin controls dictators in a number of former Soviet republics.
Here he is with Turmenistan's infamous Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov (try saying that three times fast!):
to enjoy the billions he's looted from Russia.
Naw, I don't believe it either. The retirement part, not the looting.
By the way, I'm sure dump is envious of putin's ability to divert public money into private hands--dump would also like to bypass the middleman and steal tax money outright.
Sure, he'll retire 
