Putin has remained in power since 2000, first as president and then during the past four years as prime minister. The new, now six-year term will keep him in power until 2018 with the option of running for a fourth term. [break]
"We want to live and we will live in a democratic country that will offer opportunities and freedom for everyone´s life and labor," AP quoted Putin as saying in a grand Kremlin hall before 3,000 invited guests.
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