Russian President Vladimir Putin says a win for his party in parliamentary elections next month would give him a moral mandate to influence Russian politics, even after he steps down from the Presidency.
It is one of the strongest indications yet that Mr Putin intends to retain some power and influence after his second term as President comes to an end.
"If people vote for United Russia, whose candidate list I head, that means they trust me," Mr Putin, 55, said in comments broadcast on state television.
"And that means that I would have the moral right to ask all those who will be in the Duma (parliament), and those in the Government, to work toward implementing today's decisions."
Under the Russian constitution he can serve no more than two consecutive terms.
He is due to leave office next March.
The Russian parliamentary elections will be held in December and Mr Putin is heading the ticket for the most powerful Kremlin-backed party, United Russia. © 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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