Medvedev proposes Putin as PM

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-12-2007 08:54

President Vladimir Putin, left, and First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev speak before a Kremlin meeting in Moscow, in this Thursday, June 8, 2006, file photo. (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service, File)

The man Vladimir Putin favors to succeed him as Russia's president has put forward Putin as prime minister after he leaves the Kremlin.

Medvedev said it's not enough to elect a new president to guarantee the continuity of the current policies.

He also stressed it's crucial for the country to keep Putin in the most important role in the executive branch.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russian First Deputy PM, said, "As I confirm my readiness to run for Russian president, I appeal to Putin with a request to give his principal agreement to head the Russian government after the new president is elected."

First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev delivers a televised nationwide address in Moscow, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Vladimir Rodionov, Presidential Press Service)

Under Russia's constitution, the current president is not allowed to seek a third term. Putin has pledged to step down after next March's election, but vowed to retain influence on policy-making.

There have been suggestions that he take the position of parliament speaker or of prime minister. But he has not confirmed either.

Leaders from Russia's four major parties have jointly nominated Medvedev as the candidate for next March's presidential election.

Medvedev will officially be nominated for presidential candidacy at next Monday's United Russia congress.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei