Moscow ? President Vladimir Putin, in a surprise announcement, opened the door Monday to becoming Russia’s prime minister and retaining power when his presidential term ends next year.

The popular Putin is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in the March presidential election, but has strongly indicated he would seek to keep a hand on Russia’s reins after he steps down.

Putin’s remarks Monday at a congress of the dominant, Kremlin-controlled United Russia party hint at a clear scenario in which he could remake himself as a powerful prime minister and eclipse a weakened president.

Putin, 54, told United Russia that his name will top its ticket in Dec. 2 parliamentary elections – a huge show of support from a president who has always sought to remain above the grit of party politics.

He called a proposal that he become prime minister “entirely realistic,” but added that it was still “too early to think about it.” For him to consider it, he said, first United Russia would have to win the elections and Russia elect as president a “decent, competent, effective, modern person with whom it would be possible to work in tandem.”

Putin’s name on the ticket will make the first task much easier. Laden with top officials who can use the media, law enforcement and other levers to pressure opponents and influence voting, the party already has a huge advantage. And Putin’s powerful support could ensure it retains the two-thirds majority needed in the State Duma, or lower house of parliament, to approve changes in the constitution.

Putin’s move points to the possibility that the constitution could be changed to shift power from the presidency to the government, which he would lead as prime minister.

While transferring power from the president to the prime minister would on the surface suggest a major change in the political system, the chief editor of Ekho Moskvy radio said it would make little difference in reality, comparing Putin’s power to that of the czars or the Soviet-era Communist Party chiefs.

“In Russia – as before – a regime of personal power has been established: The power of one person, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, and whether he is called president or prime minister … is meaningless,” Alexei Venediktov said.

He said the power could be effectively shifted to the prime minister without touching the constitution, by changing a law to transfer power over the Defense Ministry and law enforcement from president to premier.

And even if the constitution is not changed, Putin as premier with United Russia behind him could wield more clout with Russia’s people and its army of bureaucrats than a new president.