Guerrilla22
8th May 2008, 11:27
MOSCOW - Russia's parliament has overwhelmingly voted to make Vladimir Putin the prime minister.
Putin's confirmation in the State Duma comes a day after he handed the presidency to his protege Dmitry Medvedev.
Thursday's 392-56 vote caps months of maneuvering by the popular leader to maintain influence after stepping down from the presidency due to term limits.
Medvedev nominated Putin shortly after he was sworn in Wednesday. Confirmation was certain because Putin's United Russia party holds more than two-thirds of the Duma's seats.
Russia's president formally has more power than the prime minister, but Putin's unprecedented move has left Russians wondering who will really be in the driver's seat.
Putin's confirmation in the State Duma comes a day after he handed the presidency to his protege Dmitry Medvedev.
Thursday's 392-56 vote caps months of maneuvering by the popular leader to maintain influence after stepping down from the presidency due to term limits.
Medvedev nominated Putin shortly after he was sworn in Wednesday. Confirmation was certain because Putin's United Russia party holds more than two-thirds of the Duma's seats.
Russia's president formally has more power than the prime minister, but Putin's unprecedented move has left Russians wondering who will really be in the driver's seat.