Russian parliament sets presidential elections for March 2

Moscow, Nov 26 (UNI) The Federation Council, the upper house of Parliament, today unanimously decided to hold the Russian presidential elections on March 2, 2008.

The upper house sets the date for presidential elections in accordance with the Constitution.

Chairman of Russian Central Election Commission, Vladimir Churov, while addressing the Federation Council session, said the presidential elections campaign period would start from February 2 and end on February 29.

''Documents for registering candidates with the Central Election Commission can be submitted from December 12 to January 16 and candidates can publish their political manifestos from February 2-10,'' he said.

It is yet unclear who would be a presidential candidate from the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, widely expected to win the parliamentary election on December 2.

So far, those planning to run, include Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, liberal Yabloko leader Grigory Yavlinsky, ultra-nationalist LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky, British-based dissident Vladimir Bukovsky, former chief of the Central Bank Viktor Gerashchenko, leader of the United Civil Front Garry Kasparov, and ultra-right parliamentarian Nikolai Kuryanovich.

Boris Nemtsov, a leader of the Union of Right Forces (SPS), said on Friday he might be chosen as a single candidate for the united right-wing opposition.

Former Prime Minister and leader of the People's Democratic Union Mikhail Kasyanov also expressed presidential ambitions.

UNI