Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that his running for presidency simultaneously with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in the 2012 elections would be counterproductive.
"Vladimir Putin (both my colleague and old friend) and I represent to a great extent the same political force," Medvedev said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Monday.
"In this sense, competition between us could be detrimental to the goals and objectives we have been implementing over the past few years," he said. "It would not be the best scenario for our country and for the current situation."
In line with the Russian Constitution, Putin, who served two presidential terms in 2000-2008, will become eligible to run for a new presidential term in 2012. Neither he nor Medvedev have ruled out putting themselves forward.
Medvedev dismissed rumors of a growing rivalry between himself and Putin, saying that overcoming the differences of opinion between them has only strengthened their relationship.
“But to think that there is a widening gap between us is absolutely wrong in my view," the president said.
Medvedev pledged to continue the modernization drive he has begun in his first term if he is reelected.
"If I work as president for the second time, which our Constitution allows, I will certainly attempt to implement my stated goals – to modernize our economy and our society, including its political system,” the president said.
One such task mentioned in the interview was the lowering of the barrier for parties to enter government to 5 or 3 percent from the current 7 percent to allow greater representation of opposition parties.
