Russia sets presidential election for March 9, 2008

MOSCOW, Dec 14 (Reuters) Russia's next presidential elections, when Vladimir Putin is expected to step down, will take place on March 9, 2008, the head of the central electoral commission said today.

''Russian presidential elections will take place on the second Sunday of March 2008 ... so March 9,'' Alexander Veshnyakov was quoted by Interfax agency as saying.

Candidates could start their electoral campaigns from early December next year, he said.

The law requires Putin to step down when his second term ends in 2008 and he insists he will do so. But that has not dampened speculation that the popular Kremlin chief may decide to stay on.

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