Putin to become PM, ruling party leader: Official

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin is to become prime minister on May 8, the day after stepping down from the Kremlin, and will also be asked to head Russia's ruling party, the speaker of parliament said Monday. "We are waiting for May 7 when there will be the inauguration of the new president, and May 8 when there will be the confirmation of the prime ministerial candidacy of the leader of the United Russia list, Vladimir Putin," Gryzlov told journalists. Putin stands down after eight years on May 7 when his handpicked successor Dmitry Medvedev, who was elected March in a carefully controlled election, takes over. Under Medvedev, Putin will retain significant power over domestic affairs, including Russia's oil-fuelled economy. That powerbase would strengthen further if he became head of United Russia, which controls more than two thirds of parliament seats. Gryzlov, who is the current head of the party and a close Putin ally, said: "I will propose to Vladimir Putin that he takes over the leadership of United Russia." The switch could take place as early as April 14-15 when the party holds its congress. Putin is closely associated with United Russia and headed its list of candidates in December parliamentary elections, but is not technically a member. Medvedev is a relative newcomer to politics and has never held elected office, prompting widespread speculation in Moscow that Putin will continue to pull the strings from his new post. The inauguration of Medvedev and naming of Putin as premier will be followed May 9 by the annual Victory Day parade on Red Square. For the first time since the Soviet era strategic missiles, tanks and other heavy weapons will take part in the ceremony.