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Medvedev says Putin should be PM Medvedev says Putin should be PM
(10 minutes later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin should become prime minister after stepping down next year, his chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev says.Russian President Vladimir Putin should become prime minister after stepping down next year, his chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev says.
Mr Putin named Mr Medvedev, a first deputy prime minister, on Monday as his favourite for the presidency. Mr Putin is due to step down in March.Mr Putin named Mr Medvedev, a first deputy prime minister, on Monday as his favourite for the presidency. Mr Putin is due to step down in March.
Mr Medvedev was previously Mr Putin's chief of staff and is chairman of the gas giant Gazprom.Mr Medvedev was previously Mr Putin's chief of staff and is chairman of the gas giant Gazprom.
Mr Medvedev has said economic gains must fund "a real social programme".Mr Medvedev has said economic gains must fund "a real social programme".
"I appeal to (President Putin) with a request to give hisagreement in principle to head the Russian government afterthe election of the new president of our country," Mr Medvedev said on Russian television on Tuesday. "I appeal to (President Putin) with a request to give his agreement in principle to head the Russian government after the election of the new president of our country," Mr Medvedev said on Russian television on Tuesday.
"It's one thing to elect a president - it's no less important to maintain the efficiency of the team," he said."It's one thing to elect a president - it's no less important to maintain the efficiency of the team," he said.
Hot favourite
Mr Medvedev is seen as a strong candidate - thanks to Mr Putin's own popularity. He hails from Mr Putin's native St Petersburg.Mr Medvedev is seen as a strong candidate - thanks to Mr Putin's own popularity. He hails from Mr Putin's native St Petersburg.
Many are sure that he will win the elections in the first round Commentary in Vremya Novostey Press sees Putin guiding Medvedev
Mr Putin is constitutionally obliged to quit after his second presidential term ends next year, but he is expected to retain strong political influence.Mr Putin is constitutionally obliged to quit after his second presidential term ends next year, but he is expected to retain strong political influence.
Pensions and welfare
Mr Medvedev says he wants the benefits of economic growth to reach all sections of Russian society.Mr Medvedev says he wants the benefits of economic growth to reach all sections of Russian society.
HAVE YOUR SAY He seems like a solid individual who will appeal to the next generation of Russians Christopher, Moscow Send us your comments
"Now we need to convert all the successes achieved in the past eight years into real programmes," he said."Now we need to convert all the successes achieved in the past eight years into real programmes," he said.
If elected president, he said, he would pay the greatest attention to social issues.If elected president, he said, he would pay the greatest attention to social issues.
Mr Medvedev was addressing leaders of the four pro-Kremlin parties backing him, including United Russia, the party which won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections earlier this month. class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7136796.stm">Putin pushes young ally class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7136556.stm">Profile: Dmitry Medvedev Mr Medvedev was addressing leaders of the four pro-Kremlin parties backing him, including United Russia, the party which won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections earlier this month.
The 42-year-old former lawyer managed Mr Putin's election campaign in 2000.The 42-year-old former lawyer managed Mr Putin's election campaign in 2000.
As first deputy prime minister he has overseen national programmes in the areas of health, housing and education.As first deputy prime minister he has overseen national programmes in the areas of health, housing and education.
Russia has made huge economic gains as a result of soaring international oil prices.Russia has made huge economic gains as a result of soaring international oil prices.
Putin pushes young allyProfile: Dmitry Medvedev
The government has been facing demands to channel energy revenues into pensions, benefits and parts of the country's infrastructure that have been decaying since the collapse of the Soviet Union.The government has been facing demands to channel energy revenues into pensions, benefits and parts of the country's infrastructure that have been decaying since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Pressure for continuity
Mr Putin has made it clear he will retain a significant national leadership role after he leaves office at the end of his second term.Mr Putin has made it clear he will retain a significant national leadership role after he leaves office at the end of his second term.
HAVE YOUR SAY He seems like a solid individual who will appeal to the next generation of Russians Christopher, Moscow Send us your comments
He has said he expects Mr Medvedev to provide continuity.He has said he expects Mr Medvedev to provide continuity.
"We have the chance to form a stable government after the elections in March 2008. And not just a stable government, but one that will carry out the course that has brought results for all of the past eight years," Mr Putin said on Monday."We have the chance to form a stable government after the elections in March 2008. And not just a stable government, but one that will carry out the course that has brought results for all of the past eight years," Mr Putin said on Monday.
United Russia leader Boris Gryzlov highlighted Mr Medvedev's role in managing national projects aimed at raising Russian living standards.United Russia leader Boris Gryzlov highlighted Mr Medvedev's role in managing national projects aimed at raising Russian living standards.
"Dmitry Anatolyevich (Medvedev) oversees national projects," he said."Dmitry Anatolyevich (Medvedev) oversees national projects," he said.
"He oversees the demographic programme and we believe that it is precisely the issues to do with raising standards of living that are the most important issues for the upcoming four-year period.""He oversees the demographic programme and we believe that it is precisely the issues to do with raising standards of living that are the most important issues for the upcoming four-year period."