Speaking at a media forum organized by the Kremlin-backed United Russia party, Medvedev, himself seen as a possible presidential frontrunner, quoted President Vladimir Putin's recent comment that, "a while ago we had no candidates, but now there are several...which is positive for the image of Russia as a young democracy."
Putin's comment came after the September promotion of Viktor Zubkov from obscure financial official to the country's prime minister. Zubkov has already announced his own presidential ambitions.
However, Medvedev said it was too early to talk of his own candidacy, adding that the "presidential campaign has not yet begun."
Medvedev also said that he fully expects a party-aligned president to eventually emerge. He said Russia was now ready for this, and that "10-12 years ago, the appearance of a party-aligned president would have torn the country apart."
The first deputy prime minister also announced that he would not be seeking election to the State Duma as a United Russia candidate, despite the fact that his political sympathies lay with the party.
"I have other very important business," he said, adding that "someone has to deal with routine issues."
