Putin to have power after stepping down?

A press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin has been reported in the BBC. It has a few items of concern:

1) President Putin is sounding more and more like a dictator.
2) There isn't a single quote from President Putin in the article...

Putin 'may seek 2012 re-election'
BBC News

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he expects to remain an influential figure in Russian politics after he steps down next March.

Speaking to Western journalists and academics, he did not rule out standing for president again in 2012 or 2016.

He also suggested the race to succeed him was wide open, with at least six credible candidates including Russia's new PM, Viktor Zubkov.

Mr. Putin described the little-known Mr. Zubkov as a "real professional."

Mr. Zubkov was picked from obscurity to run the Russian government just this week.