Azernews.Az

MOSCOW – Russia's ruling party United Russia wants Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to stand in the 2012 presidential election, Russian news agencies quoted a top party official as saying on Thursday, Reuters reported.

"As for the party's position on the 2012 elections, United Russia will orient itself on its leader Vladimir Putin," state news agency RIA quoted Yuri Shuvalov, deputy secretary of the presidium of the party's General Council, as saying.

Uncertainty over whether Putin will return to the country's top seat of power or back incumbent Dmitry Medvedev has pushed factions of the political elite to weigh in on the issue.

Both Putin and Medvedev, who say they rule in a 'tandem', have hinted they may run in the election, but each has said they will take the decision together.

Putin, who analysts say will make the final decision on who will run, called increasing public attention on the election "fuss", which he said on Wednesday disrupted the work of the government and the presidential administration.

Putin, president from 2000-2008, became United Russia's chairman steering Medvedev into the presidency in a march 2008 election. The party supported Medvedev in that election after Putin named him as his favoured successor.