MOSCOW, October 18, SPA -- Russia will have a different president next year, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday, reaffirming his plans to step aside but leaving unanswered what exact role he might have, the Associated Press reported. With just two months remaining before crucialparliamentary elections _ and five before presidentialelections _ speculation has mounted about Putin's plansonce his second, consecutive term ends in March. Putin, who is widely popular in Russia, has said he wouldnot stay on as president, despite a chorus of calls fromlawmakers and others. Last month, however, he indicated hewould consider becoming prime minister. «In 2008, in the Kremlin there will be a differentperson,» Putin said, during his annual nationallytelevised question-and-answer session. He also said he expected no radical policy changes fromhis successor, saying the next president should «keep thestabile course of our nation and continuity in realizingthe plans that have been devised in recent years.»--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/491271