Putin Praises Himself as 'Most Hardworking' Leader
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MOSCOW -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has praised himself as Russia's "most hardworking" leader since World War II.
In his first lengthy interview since last month's announcement that he will seek a third presidential term, the 59-year-old prime minister said that Communist-era leaders were not physically capable and did not have "the will" to run the country the way he did.
After serving two presidential terms, Putin anointed a successor, Dmitry Medvedev, who appointed him prime minister and was widely seen as a No. 2 leader. Putin can run for two more consecutive terms and could stay in power until 2024.
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He said that his decision still leaves average Russians an opportunity to "make their choice" in the upcoming elections in March.