Putin's unprecedented move from the Kremlin to the No. 2 post will keep him politicallyprominent for the foreseeable future and could serve as a springboard back to the presidency. Ithas Russians wondering who will really hold the country's reins.
The switch comes after months of political maneuvering by the popular Putin to maintain a rolein ruling Russia after stepping down. Barred by term limits from running in the March presidentialvote, he anointed Medvedev as his favored successor in December and pledged to serve as his primeminister.
Medvedev formally nominated Putin in one of his first acts as president Wednesday. He wascertain to be confirmed by the State Duma, the lower parliament house, where his United Russiaparty holds 315 of the 450 seats.
Presenting his nominee to a rare full house at the Duma on Thursday, Medvedev said lawmakers'applause "means that Vladimir Vladimirovich needs no special recommendation" and credited hismentor with vastly improving Russia's economy and global stature.
"Russia is respected once again," Medvedev said.
After a meeting with Putin in the Kremlin late Wednesday, leaders of United Russia, and the twoother Kremlin-allied parties in the Duma said they would approve his nomination. Only the CommunistParty, with 57 Duma seats, said it would not support him.
Russia's president is the undisputed head of state and sets policy on all fronts, while theprime minister heads the Cabinet and is responsible for running the economy. But Putin is expectedto have strong influence on Medvedev, who at 42 is 13 years younger and owes his political ascentto his mentor.
Putin and Medvedev have taken pains to stress they will work together in an alliance that willhelp Russia modernize its economy, boost social welfare and tackle the severe infrastructureproblems that are depleting its population and jeopardizing its future.
"I think nobody doubts that our tandem, our cooperation will only strengthen," Medvedev toldlawmakers in presenting Putin. He stressed continuity and said the former president "will play akey role" in implementing policy.
