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Putin names next prime minister Putin names next prime minister
(19 minutes later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted the resignation of PM Mikhail Fradkov and nominated a financial crime investigator to replace him.Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted the resignation of PM Mikhail Fradkov and nominated a financial crime investigator to replace him.
Victor Zubkov, head of the federal financial monitoring service, is a relative unknown in Russian politics.Victor Zubkov, head of the federal financial monitoring service, is a relative unknown in Russian politics.
Mr Fradkov offered to resign, citing "approaching significant political events", said Tass news agency.Mr Fradkov offered to resign, citing "approaching significant political events", said Tass news agency.
The lower house of the Russian parliament, the Duma, is set to vote on Mr Zubkov's nomination on Friday.The lower house of the Russian parliament, the Duma, is set to vote on Mr Zubkov's nomination on Friday.
Mr Putin asked Mr Fradkov to stay on as acting prime minister until his replacement is confirmed.Mr Putin asked Mr Fradkov to stay on as acting prime minister until his replacement is confirmed.
"We all have to think together how to build a structure of power so that it better corresponds to the pre-election period and prepares the country for the period after the presidential election in March," Mr Putin said in accepting Mr Fradkov's resignation."We all have to think together how to build a structure of power so that it better corresponds to the pre-election period and prepares the country for the period after the presidential election in March," Mr Putin said in accepting Mr Fradkov's resignation.
Path to powerPath to power
Elections to the Duma, or parliament, are to be held in December. Elections to the Duma are to be held in December.
Mr Putin is barred by Russia's constitution from running for a third term as president in elections in March. VIKTOR ZUBKOV Born: 1941, Sverdlovsk regionEducation: Economist, specialising in agricultureWorked with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg city administration in late 1980s and early 1990sFrom 1993 to 2000, he worked for the federal tax service and tax ministryFrom 2001: Head of financial monitoring service Mr Putin is barred by Russia's constitution from running for a third term as president in elections in March.
Whoever becomes the new prime minister gains a strong platform from which to campaign to replace Mr Putin, correspondents say.Whoever becomes the new prime minister gains a strong platform from which to campaign to replace Mr Putin, correspondents say.
None of Russia's political heavyweights has yet declared his candidacy and Mr Putin has not yet publicly endorsed anyone.None of Russia's political heavyweights has yet declared his candidacy and Mr Putin has not yet publicly endorsed anyone.
First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov has long been considered a frontrunner for the presidency, and Russian media had been speculating that he could be made premier. Russian media had been speculating that First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov - long considered a frontrunner for the presidency - could have been about to be made prime minister.
In the late 1990s, Mr Ivanov worked under Mr Putin in the FSB, the internal intelligence agency, and they are believed to be close. Mr Ivanov worked under Mr Putin in the FSB, the internal intelligence agency, in the 1990s and the two men are believed to be close.
Another possible competitor for the presidency is the other deputy prime minister, Dmitri Medvedev. But Mr Zubkov is also reported to have close ties to Mr Putin, both men having worked for the St Petersburg city administration.