Another version of Putin's plans...

This possibility has certainly been raised before, but perhaps not so directly:

Putin post election job - Probable Leader for United Russia
bne
Monday, February 26, 2007

Speculation continues to swirl over what job President Vladimir Putin will take after stepping down next March. The leading of the Kremlin's party of power, United Russia, suggested Putin would take over as the parties leader in 2008.

United Russia leader Boris Gryzlov floated the idea in a radio address on local radio in Murmansk last week, but stressed he had not discussed the issue with Putin himself.

This option must have a lot of appeal for Putin. Clearly the amount of power concentrated in the president's hands is dangerous and open for abuse. A gradual shift towards a more balanced system of parliamentary democracy would leave the president in a position to push through difficult reforms, but also curb the president's power and would play very well in the west.

However, to be effective this option would require changes to the constitution after Putin has already given up his power and would have to rely on his successor to champion the cause.

There is a chance that Putin will float the idea of weakening the president's power in the run up to the March 2008 vote, but they do not seem to be big at this point. Most analysts agree that Russia is headed for a system similar to those of Japan or Mexico where Putin will head an informal but extremely powerful cabal that holds the real reigns of power.