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Putin ready to be PM after polls Putin ready to be PM after polls
(about 1 hour later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will become prime minister if his chosen successor, Dmitry Medvedev, wins the presidential election in March.Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will become prime minister if his chosen successor, Dmitry Medvedev, wins the presidential election in March.
He made the announcement at a conference of the United Russia party, which won recent polls by a landslide. He was speaking at a conference in Moscow of the governing United Russia party which has now confirmed Mr Medvedev as the party's candidate.
Mr Medvedev is set to be confirmed as United Russia's presidential candidate. Mr Medvedev is expected to win, largely thanks to Mr Putin's own popularity.
He is expected to win the election, largely thanks to Mr Putin's own popularity. Mr Putin has long suggested he plans to retain political influence. Mr Putin is legally barred from serving a third consecutive term as president but could stand again in 2012.
He is constitutionally obliged to step down in March at the end of his second presidential term. "If the citizens of Russia trust Dmitry Medvedev and elect him the country's president I will be ready to chair the government," he told the United Russia conference.
Mr Putin last week said he hoped Mr Medvedev would succeed him as president at the elections in March.
On Monday, he told the United Russia conference: "If the citizens of Russia trust Dmitry Medvedev and elect him the country's president I will be ready to chair the government."
Mr Putin hinted last year that he may become prime minister after his presidential term expired - but this is the first time he has confirmed his intentions.
Economic gainsEconomic gains
Mr Medvedev has already pledged to adhere as a leader to the policies outlined during the Putin presidency.Mr Medvedev has already pledged to adhere as a leader to the policies outlined during the Putin presidency.
Putin pushes young allyProfile: Dmitry Medvedev He said last Tuesday that he wanted the benefits of economic growth to reach all sections of Russian society. Putin pushes young allyProfile: Dmitry Medvedev
He said last Tuesday that he wanted the benefits of economic growth to reach all sections of Russian society.
The 42-year-old former lawyer managed Mr Putin's election campaign in 2000 and is now chairman of state energy giant, Gazprom.The 42-year-old former lawyer managed Mr Putin's election campaign in 2000 and is now chairman of state energy giant, Gazprom.
As first deputy prime minister, he has also overseen national programmes in the areas of health, housing and education.As first deputy prime minister, he has also 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.
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.
Mr Medvedev is expected to address United Russia members on Monday at a conference centre in a lavish shopping mall near the Kremlin.
Mr Putin is also expected to address the conference but it is unclear if he will give any indication of his plans after leaving the presidency.