Ploy To Let Putin Stay In Control
RUSSIA'S ruling party has suggested President Vladimir Putin become its leader, a move that might allow him to retain control of the nation after stepping down from the presidency in 2008.

Mr Putin made no immediate comment on the proposal, which is reminiscent of the sort of party control exercised in the old Soviet Union.

Popular in Russia for the stability he has brought, but accused by the West of blunting democracy, the President has repeatedly denied he would try to change the constitution to stand for a third term. But he has indicated he could retain some position of influence and seek to determine his successor.

Keen to promote a "managed democracy", after the turmoil of the post-Soviet years, Mr Putin hailed the birth of the pro-government United Russia party in 2001. The Kremlin sees it as the mainstay in a system of power in which a handful of favoured parties dominate.

Enjoying vast official support, the party includes 67 regional heads out of 88, several ministers and more than 300 members in the 450-seat Duma, the lower house of parliament.

"We would like to see you continue being the national leader by determining the country's future with such a tool as a political party responsible for outlining national strategy," parliamentarian Martin Shakkum told Mr Putin at the President's meeting with United Russia's Duma members near Moscow.

"United Russia could become such a party, being the largest, most influential and responsible political force of society," Mr Shakkum added to what observers said was rapturous applause from Putin loyalists. Observers said Mr Putin made no comment on the suggestion. It seemed likely that the President, if he sought to retain power after his term ends, would await reaction domestically and abroad.

Russia has extensive experience of rule by a party leader rather than a government head. For seven decades, it was effectively the Communist Party, not the government, that determined the fate of the Soviet Union.

United Russia aspires to a broad role. It recently announced its one millionth member, a milestone unseen since the Communist Party of the Soviet Union folded 14 years ago.

Opinion polls show Russians are broadly happy with their Government amid an oil-fuelled economic upturn. That translates into strong election results for United Russia.

But criticism at home and abroad that Russia is becoming less democratic is a tense subject ahead of the Group of Eight summit to be held in St Petersburg from July 15.

The docile legislature gave initial approval last week to an anti-extremism law that critics say could help the Kremlin stifle Russia's already weak opposition. Former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov, a critic of the Kremlin, confirmed he would run for president in 2008. But Russia's liberal opposition is divided, and analysts say Kasyanov's chances are poor.

Mr Putin told the United Russia deputies that political opponents must be "given the floor to express their views". But he also said he wanted the pro-Kremlin party to boost its dominance of Russia's political scene in the run-up to next year's parliamentary elections.