A Russian think tank published a proposed campaign platform for its chairman, President Dmitry Medvedev, urging him on Tuesday to seek re-election by calling for broader democracy and reform of the security services.
The pamphlet, by the Institute of Contemporary Development (INSOR) builds on Medvedev's attempts to portray himself as a reformer, suggesting he restore popular elections of regional governors and abolish mandatory military service by 2018 if re-elected.
Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have said they will decide together who should run for president in an election expected in March 2012. But by suggesting a campaign platform, the think tank could be testing the water among the political elite and encouraging support for a Medvedev bid.
"This is our attempt to create a campaign program ... for President Medvedev," INSOR head Igor Yurgens said at a presentation of the 95-page booklet titled "Attaining the Future: Strategy 2012."
"We hope the chairman of our board of trustees will decide to run in the election."
INSOR has no formal policymaking role and Yurgens has no position in the presidential administration, but he is seen as one of the architects of Medvedev's drive to modernize Russia's energy-dependent economy.
Most political analysts say the decision over who will run for president will be made by Putin, who was president from 2000-2008. Putin, Russia's paramount leader, steered Medvedev into the Kremlin when he faced a constitutional bar on a third straight presidential term.
A Kremlin spokesperson declined to comment on the publication.
Medvedev has vowed to diversify Russia's economy, which is reliant on oil and depends largely on aging Soviet machinery and infrastructure, but analysts say he has made little progress.
Putin presided over an eco
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