MOSCOW — Prominent Russian politicians have commented on the announcement yesterday by an ex-premier, Mikhail Kasyanov, that he would run in the 2008 presidential election.

Boris Gryzlov, the speaker of the lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, said Thursday he wanted to understand what political force Kasyanov could lead to run for the presidency in 2008.

Gryzlov said Kasyanov's candidacy corresponded to the constitution, but added: "Competition at the State Duma and presidential elections should take place between political parties not individuals."

Sergei Glazyev, the co-chairman of the Homeland (Rodina) faction in the Duma, told RIA Novosti that he thought a coalition would be created around Kasyanov, to include Vybor Rossii (Russian Choice), the Union of Right Forces (SPS) and even pro-governmental United Russia.

Glazyev said Kasyanov had played a role in establishing the party of power. If Kasyanov created his own party, Glazyev said, this would be "the second party of power in the country," which would concern United Russia. He said the latter was trying to "bombard" Kasyanov with compromising information.

Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov said when Kasyanov had been too liberal when he was premier and had allowed national property to be sold off, and key economic sectors to be given to oligarchs. "Kasyanov cannot offer the nation anything new," he said.

Duma legislation committee chairman Pavel Krasheninnikov said Kasyanov's statement was "a political false start." He said it was unclear who was behind this PR stunt.