Russian President Dmitry Medvedev nominated Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as the ruling political party's candidate for the presidential election in Russia in March 2012. The announcement signalled Medvedev's willingness to step down after a single term in office, and to yield leadership of Russia to Putin, who served two terms as president from 2000-08. Medvedev's nomination of Putin was applauded and cheered by some 10,000 delegates during a congress of United Russia, the political party that has held almost total control over the country's government for the last decade. Putin said he intended to win the March presidential race, saying "I have not yet lost the voice for command" and "Nothing will push us (United Russia) from the saddle." He said Medvedev should lead United Russia's party list for parliamentary elections scheduled on December 4, according to a report of the German Press Agency "DPA"
