Current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is expected to win the post he held between 1999 and 2008 . Five candidates are running for Russia 's top job . He proposed that Russia returned to direct election of regional governors ; simplify the registration of political parties and presidential candidates ; establish new editorially independent public TV channel ; and called for lifting of many of the political restrictions imposed in the past several years by Putin . The president is entitled to stay in office for six years following rule changes in 2008 . Although Putin is likely to win , CNN 's Moscow correspondent Conrad Black says he can expect continued support .
Current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is expected to win the post he held between 1999 and 2008 . Five candidates are running for Russia 's top job . The president is entitled to stay in office for six years following rule changes in 2008 . Although Putin is likely to win , CNN 's Moscow correspondent Conrad Black says he can expect continued support .