Putin paves way for prime minister role
President Vladimir Putin accepted leadership of the dominant United Russia party today securing his grip on power after he leaves the Kremlin and becomes prime minister next month.
He was quickly approved as leader in a unanimous vote during a party congress that mixed promises of a bright Russian future with traditions from the Soviet past.
Mr Putin’s decision to lead United Russia, announced just three weeks before his hand-picked successor Dmitry Medvedev takes over the presidency, left little doubt that he intends to remain at the forefront for years to come.
He was elected chairman for a four-year term, giving him a strong power base during Mr Medvedev’s presidency and a potential springboard for a return to the Kremlin in 2012.
Mr Putin portrayed the move as a step toward European-style democracy for Russia and said it would ensure that Russia’s political bosses and bureaucrats functioned as a “single organism” for the good of the people.
“Today even more than before, we need the consolidation of political forces and the spiritual unity of our people,” he said after all 577 delegates raised their blue, red and white cards in unison to approve his nomination.
But his decision could undermine the authority of Mr Medvedev.
Like the unanimous vote, it evoked memories of the Soviet era, when the Communist Party chief held the real power and the formal head of state was little more than a figurehead.
Mr Putin has promised not to shift any presidential powers to the prime minister.
But he has made no secret of his plans to use the Duma to ensure that his will is carried out even after he steps down as president.
