While he said no decision has been made, Prime Minister Perry Christie said he is prepared to lead the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in the next general election, but for now he remains "focused entirely" on the remainder of this term.
Christie was responding to questions from the media about his succession and future plans politically.
"I am very secure politically, and with good health I know I could last a term. And who knows?" Christie said.
"I mean, The Nassau Guardian is speculating that Christie is not going to go anywhere, and so that's fine.
"It gives some people sufficient interest to listen to me and what not, and we'll see.
"But the one thing I can tell you is whatever happens to me, the people who you see in this room (PLP's headquarters) will be central figures in determining my future."
When asked whether he is prepared to lead the PLP into the next general election, Christie said, "Yes. I am always prepared. Yes.
"Whether I go another term is another matter, but I am preparing, and I am preparing the party and the country for the kind of future it is going to have.
While in opposition, Christie said if re-elected in 2012, he would step down at the mid-term.
But on the campaign trail he stressed repeatedly that he fully intends to serve a full term.
Christie has frequently notes that he is in the "twilight" of his political career.
In January, Christie suggested that if former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham returns to public life there is no guarantee that he, Christie, would exit.
Ingraham said this month that he has no intention of making a comeback.
"In my 40th year of public life, obviously brings into question how long I intend to remain in public life," Christie said.
"I have been speaking with trustees of the party and listening to them tell me some very interesting things about what they expect.
"The PLP will obviously have to work on the continuation as to its leadership going into the next general election.
"I have elected, having said what I said earlier, to not speak about it because I do not propose to encourage people to see me as a lame duck.
"They were making the point that people, when they think that you are not going to be there, they start to do all sorts of things that the ordinarily would not do.
"I've chosen to focus entirely on this term; to focus on the next ensuing period of this term, knowing that this matter is a matter that will have to be decided upon by the PLP, and most certainly by me, because whatever is the position, we ought always to have in place succession."
In his recent interview, Christie said there are several people in the PLP who seek leadership of the party, and have the ability to lead.
"We must always have in place those people who can readily step into my shoes and not to have it go through any kind of major upheaval in the party simply because we weren't prepared for transition," Christie said.
"We have a deputy leader. We have other people in the party who clearly aspire to the leadership of the party, who are more than capable of being leaders of the party.
"And I think I'm going through a period now where all of them are in intense preparation for the way ahead. So it is a matter that I think the party will address at the right time.
"As my brother said, he believes that I will make the right decision on that, but I do know that I have an obligation to ensure that the party is ready for general election.
"You will find that with the commencement of the year 2015 you will see all of the signals that I am preparing the party for the next general election."
Christie said the PLP will hold its convention next year, but after the constitutional referendum on gender equality to ensure the continued support of the FNM and its followers.
When asked whether Minnis, who was recently elected as FNM leader, encourages him to stay on as leader and contest the general election, Christie did not answer directly.
However, he said he will "never underestimate" Minnis.
Guide to the future
Christie said the remaining two years of the PLP's term will be strong, notwithstanding the potential "scar to that optimism" that is crime.
He again pledged to mount a major attack on crime, which he admitted is a real threat to the stability of The Bahamas' reputation.
In recent weeks, Christie has spoken about introducing legislation for the National Security Council (NSC) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
The government expects both intelligence-based organizations to have a significant impact on criminality in the country.
Asked about what he hopes to accomplish before retirement, Christie said, "What I would like to do is when you look at a map of The Bahamas you would see that new economies have developed and become much stronger in each of the major islands of the Commonwealth.
"As a result of that you have the pull of people to the urban center have slowed down considerably and therefore a greater degree of stability in the country will take place because the development is more ordered.
"And so the plan that I am now working on that we say will be out no later than June next year will be a guide to the future for this country.
"I know that the College of The Bahamas will joint-venture that with us and be involved in that."
He said the National Development Plan 2040 will put The Bahamas "on the right path".
He added, "The ideas that I have will be winning ideas. And if I do it the right way, whoever succeeds me will be able to walk into the rising sun. I think truly, with confidence that they are going to serve this country as a government of the country. So, we are okay."

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