Putin agreed to head the government if Medvedev is elected. Viktor Mizin from the Institute for Strategic Assessment in Moscow commented on the intrigue ahead of the election in March 2008.
“Putin himself has made it clear that for him this is a very important message, and probably his legacy to the history. He hasn't plied the constitution in accordance with his private interests. This is the legacy he would like to convey to the future generations of Russian politicians and to the external world: that Russia is still struggling, but a democracy,” Mizin said.