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WORLD NEWS Thursday 7 december 2017

Putin announces 2018 re-election bid, ends long speculation

By V. ISACHENKOV “It was necessary to en-
Associated Press sure electoral mobiliza-
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian tion,” Dmitry Orlov, a politi-
President Vladimir Putin cal consultant close to the
said Wednesday he would Kremlin, said in televised
seek re-election next year remarks.
in a race he is poised to win Putin has been in power in
easily, putting him on track Russia since 2000. He served
to become the nation’s two presidential terms dur-
longest-serving ruler since ing 2000-2008, then shifted
Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. into the prime minister’s
Putin’s approval ratings seat because of term lim-
regularly top 80 percent, its. As prime minister, he
making him all but certain still called the shots while
to win the March election his ally, Dmitry Medvedev,
by a broad margin. While served as the placeholder
few doubted the 65-year- president.
old leader would run, the Medvedev had the presi-
delay in his declaring so dent’s term extended to
fueled some conspiracy six years and then stepped
theories and was seen as down to let Putin reclaim
the Kremlin’s political ma- the office in 2012. If Pu-
neuvering. tin serves another six-year
The 65-year-old Russian term, which would run
leader’s potential rivals in- Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a meeting with workers of the GAZ factory in through 2024, he would
clude several luckless can- Nizny Novgorod, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. Putin says he will seek re-election in reach the milestone of hav-
didates from past contests next March’s election. ing the longest tenure since
and a notable newcomer (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik/via AP) Stalin, who ruled for nearly
— TV host Ksenia Sobchak, Russian’s industrial might, your support. I will run for and name a preferred suc- 30 years.
36, the daughter of Putin’s and Putin found an enthusi- president.” cessor. Earlier Wednesday, Putin
one-time boss. astic audience in the blue- For months, Putin fend- The Kremlin has been wor- was asked about his in-
The president chose to collar workers who make ed off questions about ried about growing voter tentions at a meeting with
make his re-election an- up the core of his base. his plans for 2018, fueling apathy, and the uncer- young volunteers in Mos-
nouncement at the GAZ “I couldn’t find a better speculation about why he tainty over Putin’s plans cow. He said he would de-
automobile factory in the place and moment,” he would not say if he would seemed intended to en- cide shortly, then showed
city of Nizhny Novgorod. said to massive applause seek re-election. Some the- courage public interest in up at the GAZ factory mak-
The factory is a symbol of at the plant. “Thank you for orized he might step down the race. ing his announcement.q

Erdogan to visit Greece at a time of frosty ties with EU, US

By ELENA BECATOROS Security in Athens will be strations in central Athens prime minister. the agenda.
Associated Press tight for Erdogan’s arrival during Erdogan’s stay. Talks are to focus on the ref- So will the flight to Greece
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — on Thursday, when he will “It’s a visit of exceptionally ugee crisis, as Greek islands of eight members of the
Greece is rolling out the red meet with Greek Prime great significance and im- have been the gateway Turkish military just after
carpet for a visit this week Minister Alexis Tsipras and portance,” Greek govern- into Europe for migrants last year’s abortive military
by Turkish President Recep the country’s largely cer- ment spokesman Dimitris crossing from the Turkish coup in Turkey. Greece’s
Tayyip Erdogan, hoping to emonial president, Prokopis Tzanakopoulos said, add- coast, as well as region- supreme court has reject-
improve often-frosty ties Pavlopoulos, before head- ing the government was al relations, energy and ed a Turkish extradition re-
between the two neigh- ing to northeastern Greece looking forward to “excep- business ties, and Turkey’s quest, saying the men —
bors and NATO allies at a the next day to speak with tionally constructive discus- stalled bid to join the Euro- who have requested asy-
time when Turkey’s rela- members of the country’s sions.” It will be Erdogan’s pean Union. Longstanding lum in Greece — could not
tions are being tested with Muslim minority. Greek au- first visit to Greece as Turk- disputes with Greece such be guaranteed a fair trial in
both the European Union thorities on Wednesday an- ish president, although he as territorial claims in the Turkey. That caused consid-
and the United States. nounced a ban on demon- has visited twice before as Aegean Sea will also be on erable anger in Ankara.q