Putin for Russia's ruling party leadership
RUSSIA: President Vladimir Putin was expected Tuesday to take
up leadership of Russia's ruling party in a significant shift of the
political landscape three weeks before he hands power to successor
Dmitry Medvedev.
Putin, who is to become prime minister after stepping down from the
Kremlin at the end of two terms on May 7, was to address a United Russia
party congress in Moscow later Tuesday.
The 55-year-old ex-KGB officer has not confirmed that he will accept
the party's request, issued Monday in a nationally televised session of
the congress. However, there seemed little doubt.
During his eight years in the Kremlin, Putin steadily centralised
power, with United Russia his tool for ensuring loyalty of the
parliament. In December parliamentary elections seen by critics as
stage-managed the party won 63 percent of the vote, forming a
constitutional majority.
Putin "has always been with the party and the party has always
supported him," the current United Russia leader Boris Gryzlov said
Monday.
Moscow, Tuesday, AFP |