Vladimir Putin entered the race for December parliamentary elections and suggested he could become prime minister, setting out a road map for retaining power after his term as president runs out next year.

Putin's bombshell Oct. 1 is certain to keep him at the center of Russia's political stage through the parliamentary vote, and could be a key part of a strategy to stay there for years.

Putin, 54, is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in the March presidential election. He has indicated that he would seek to keep a hand on Russia's reins after he steps down, but has remained coy about his specific future plans.