Putin says could head future government as premier

MOSCOW, Oct 1 (Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that suggestions he could head a future government as a prime minister were ''realistic''.

Speaking at a congress of the main pro-Kremlin force, United Russian, Putin also announced he would head the party's list for December's parliamentary elections, guaranteeing him a place in the Duma (lower house of parliament).

Putin's term as president ends next year and he is barred from running for a third consecutive term by the constitution.

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