Medvedev says could run for top Kremlin job in 2012

Medvedev, who succeeded Putin in the 2008 March elections as his chosen successor, said he was open to consider a re-election if it was "necessary" for the country and for the continuity of the policies of the current dispensation. "If this is necessary for my country and to preserve the policy formed in recent years, I also mean the period when Vladimir Putin headed the state. I do not rule out anything, including running in the election," Medvedev said in an interview to Norwegian daily Aftenposten.

The Kremlin has released the text of the interview ahead of his Norway visit beginning on Monday. Medvedev, however, added that in order to take such step: "at least the results of my work should be acceptable for our citizens". Earlier, Prime Minister Putin had also not ruled out his return to the top Kremlin job.

Putin, who was the Russian president for two terms from 2000 to 2008, could not run for a third term as Russian law prevents a person from running for a third consecutive term. Putin had taken up the Prime Minister's job, appointing his hand-chosen man Medvedev as the President. He can however, run for another term as long as it is not consecutive.

Putin had said last year that Medvedev and he are of the 'same blood' and would amicably decide this issue given the situation before the polls. Meanwhile, a recent opinion poll conducted by independent Levada Centre on the second anniversary of the ruling Medvedev-Putin tandem, showed that a majority of Russians are happy with the functioning of duumvirate.