Putin Says Russian People Will Choose His Successor via Ballot Box

MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin said only the Russian people will choose who succeeds him as president, through the electoral process.

Russia will hold a presidential election in March next year. Putin has not said whether he will run or not, but is widely expected to go for what would be his fourth term.

"The president's successor will be decided by the Russian people only during a democratic election and by nobody else," Putin told a Kremlin meeting.