Putin is required by the constitution to step down in six months and has anointed loyal lieutenant Dmitry Medvedev as his favored successor. Endorsement from the popular Putin makes Medvedev strong favorite to win a March 2 presidential vote.
Putin has said he believes he has a "moral right" to retain influence after he leaves office, but how he will do this remains a riddle.
Medvedev this week asked his mentor to serve as prime minister under his presidency. On paper at least that is a subordinate role. Serving as head of a beefed-up Russia-Belarus union could give Putin more status and influence.
Good grief. I was thinking early 20th century Russian thinking, but this is downright 18th century in its outlook.
