Russian president Vladimir Putin said today he could one day assume the post of prime minister, giving a clear sign of how he plans to keep power after his second term ends next year.
Speaking at a congress of the main pro-Kremlin party, United Russia, Mr Putin announced he would head the party's list for December's parliamentary elections, guaranteeing him a place in the State Duma (lower house of parliament).
"As far as heading the government is concerned - this is a quite realistic suggestion but it is still too early to think about it," Mr Putin said.
"Two conditions must be met first - United Russia must win the election and a decent, capable and modern person with whom I [can] work as a team should be elected as president," he added.
All polls published so far give United Russia a huge lead for December's election, with at least 50 per cent of the vote. The number two force, the communists, poll around 10-20 per cent.
Mr Putin's popularity and the Kremlin's control over politics and the media virtually guarantees whoever he anoints as his successor a resounding electoral victory in the presidential vote next March.
Commenting on a suggestion he should head the United Russia party list for the December Duma elections, Mr Putin said to a standing ovation: "I with gratitude accept your proposal".
The head of United Russia's central committee, Andrei Vorobyov, said Mr Putin's decision to head the list meant the party would secure an "unconditional victory" in December with at least 300 of the 450 seats in the Duma.
Mr Putin's term as president ends next year and he is barred from running for a third consecutive term by the constitution.
The president served as prime minister in 1999, using the post as a stepping stone to the presidency he won after President Boris Yeltsin's resignation.
His future intentions have been the subject of intense speculation, particularly after the president made clear earlier this year that he intended to keep an active role in politics after he left the presidency.
Political analysts have speculated in recent months that Mr Putin might deliberately choose a weak and loyal successor as president and continue ruling the country from a key position such as prime minister.