Ksenia Kiselyova, Seoul, South Korea
Russians staking it all on Putin
The people of Russia have resumed their favourite pastime in trying to guess when, and if, Vladimir Putin will stage a presidential comeback.
This game began November 5 when President Dmitry Medvedev announced plans to extend the presidential term to six years. The relevant constitutional amendments will, most likely, be passed this month.
James Beadle, head of research at Moscow-based Pilgrim Asset Management, which invests in stocks and bonds, said foreign investors who praised Dmitry Medvedev's promises to strengthen law and order and to fight corruption, did not want Vladimir Putin to become President for another 12 years.
Putin's comeback would spell major negative consequences because there is a strong feeling that Russian ruling circles want to retain power, Beadle said. He said this would once again be proved by Putin's comeback.
Putin will regain power because he believes he is the only man popular enough to lead the country through any ordeal, Beadle said.
He said Putin will justify this move by saying he is acting in the interests of Russia and he will probably believe this himself.