Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev submitted documents to the Central Election Commission on Monday for registration as a presidential candidate, Itar-Tass news agency reported.
Putin has voiced supports to Medvedev, who was nominated by the ruling United Russia Party as its candidate in the presidential race slated for March.
Putin has said that Medvedev, 42, is the "best choice" of candidate for the election, when he steps down due to the constitutional ban on serving a third consecutive term.
Medvedev pledged to continue Putin's policies following the incumbent president's nod to his nomination by pro-Kremlin parties, and hailed Russia's economic progress and growing importance in the international arena under the leadership of Putin.
Medvedev, a former law professor and close ally of Putin, was promoted to the position of presidential chief of staff in 2003 and took the post of first deputy prime minister in 2005, following in Putin's footsteps.
Medvedev was reappointed to the same position on Sept. 24, 2007,in a government reshuffle, and was placed in charge of the economy and social development affairs covering public health, education, housing and agriculture. Source:Xinhua
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