Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Friday his ruling United Russia party should look beyond its ranks for candidates in a parliamentary election, moving to broaden support before the December poll and a presidential contest three months later, according to Reuters. Putin, who has not ruled out a return to the presidency in March 2012, called for the creation of a nationwide "popular front" encompassing United Russia as well as labour unions, veterans and youth groups and even other parties. The initiative, announced in a marathon appearance at a United Russia conference, appeared aimed at bolstering the ruling party, amid signs of flagging support, and consolidating Putin's own power base for a potential presidential run. "This is an instrument to unite political forces that are close to each other in spirit," Putin said at the meeting in the southern city of Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, site of the bloody battle that turned the tide in World War Two. Speaking three days before Russia lavishly celebrates the anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, he said the proposed political grouping would bring together "all those who are united in striving to strengthen our country". Representatives of the groups involved could run as candidates on United Russia lists in the parliamentary election without joining the party, said Putin, who is the party chairman but is not formally a member. Putin is much more popular than United Russia, according to opinion polls, and a survey by the independent Levada Center showed the party's popularity in January was at its lowest level in more than a year.
