moscow russian president vladimir putin say thursday face credible high-profile political opponents prepare run re-election march would work try create balance political system putin critics accuse use state tv court police demonize marginalize liberal opposition say early month would run re-election march 2018 contest seem sure win comfortably extend grip power third decade sign former kgb officer keen strengthen role father nation figure rather party political figure putin say plan run independent candidate garner support one party rule unite russia party traditionally back putin likely time putin clearly want generate high turnout style someone often grubby fray russian party politics putin say early set electoral program name priority issue aside help forge call flexible political system nurture high-tech economy improve infrastructure healthcare education productivity increase people real incomes putin 65 power either president prime minister since 2000 long veteran soviet leader leonid brezhnev outstrip dictator josef stalin approval rat around 80 percent expect win would fourth presidential term eligible serve another six years 2024 turn 72. putin say aware face real competition political environment like economic environment need competitive putin tell audience 1,600 russian foreign reporters gather moscow conference hall annual news conference strive us balance political system say regret lack competition accuse political opponents fail come positive ideas tackle russia problems important make noise public square speak regime say putin important propose something make things good start compare leaders opposition propose especially leaders non-systemic liberal opposition lot problems opposition leader alexei navalny unlikely allow run putin due say trump criminal conviction post instant riposte social media say launch program week accuse putin best ignore russia 's putin track easy re-election lament dearth rival