United Russia officially votes for Putin's nomination as presidential candidate
MOSCOW. Dec 23 (Interfax) - The congress of the United Russia party has officially voted in favor of nominating Vladimir Putin as a candidate for Russian president and instructed all party entities and parliamentarians to organize full support for Putin in the election.
The decision was made at the party's 27th congress on Saturday.
The presidential election is due on March 18, 2018, Putin said he will stand as an independent.
The congress also ordered the party's General Council presidium, jointly with the party's young wing, Young Guard of United Russia, to mobilize party members, including in the State Duma, and supporters, to organize full support for Putin's presidential bid.