Russian Prime Minister and leader of the United Russia party Vladimir Putin considers himself the main contender in the presidential elections slated for March 4.
Answering a journalist's question about who the main candidate for the presidential elections was, Putin said: “I think I am,” adding that he “should be clear and understandable for people and avoid mistakes.”
“The previous years' experience entitles me to believe this can be done,” Putin said.
On November 27, Russia's ruling United Russia party nominated its leader, Putin, as its presidential candidate. The leader of A Just Russia party, Sergei Mironov, will take part in the presidential election, as will the leader of the nationalist LDPR party, Vladimir Zhirinovsky. According to Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party Ivan Melnikov, Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov will be nominated as a presidential candidate on December 17 at the party’s convention.
Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov announced on Monday that he would also run for the presidency.
Putin said also said that Prokhorov would be a worthy and serious rival to him in the March 4 presidential elections.
"I'm sure he will be a worthy, serious rival," Putin said during his live Q&A session. "I won't say I wish him success because I'm putting forward my candidacy, too."
The statement echoes a similar remark made by Prokhorov several hours earlier. "Putin is a serious rival, but I'm not afraid of competition," the Russian billionaire said.
Prokhorov, a 46-year-old bachelor, Russia's third richest man and the owner of the U.S. NBA New Jersey Nets basketball team, declared his intention to stand for the Russian presidency earlier this week. He said it was "the most serious decision" of his life.
He headed the pro-business Right Cause party for four months before being ousted in September, something he blamed on Kremlin strategist Vladislav Surkov.
