On March 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Kadyrov would assume the title of “acting leader” until elections are held in September.
“I have been termed ‘acting.’ We still need to live until September, and that’s still a long ways away,” Kadyrov said.
When asked more directly of whether he plans to run for the post, Kadyrov said “I’m a soldier, I’ll do what the commander says.”
During a recent meeting with Kadyrov, Putin expressed his hope that Kadyrov would participate in the elections.
“[Putin] is the only single person in Russia I think who can make any decision in regard to me. I would obey without question,” Kadyrov added.
"If there are elections, if I participate, if I win the election, the current team is quite satisfactory," Kadyrov said.
He added that he is already making some slight changes to his team.
"A person who is tired of working in one field, it's not good to keep someone in any position for too long…The head of my administration, Islam Kadyrov — he was mayor, Minister of Regional Property and Land Relations. Idris Cherhihov worked in the Security Council, in the secretariat, in the administration and as a minister. If a person can handle [the position], [then] we give him the opportunity to move further," Kadyrov said.
The Chechen Republic is a federal subject of Russia, located in the North Caucasus. Ramzan Kadyrov has been the head of the republic since 2007.
