Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has been formally nominated by the ruling United Russia party to run for president in next March's election. Putin, who stepped down in 2008 after two presidential terms but has remained Russia's No. 1 leader, announced his intention to reclaim the top job in September. Sunday's nomination marks the official start of his election bid, according to a report of the Associated Press. Putin has named President Dmitry Medvedev, to lead the United Russia's list in the Dec. 4 parliamentary elections and promised to make him prime minister after the presidential vote.