Putin stays politically prominent
MOSCOW — Loyal lawmakers confirmed Vladimir Putin as prime minister today, capping a carefully engineered recast of Russia's leadership a day after he handed the presidency to his protege Dmitry Medvedev.
The State Duma approved Putin in an overwhelming 392-56 vote after Medvedev told lawmakers that Putin had restored the world's respect for Russia and improved the lives of its citizens in eight years as president.
Medvedev said he would sign a decree making Putin prime minister later today.
Putin's move from the Kremlin to the No. 2 post will keep him politically active for the foreseeable future and could serve as a springboard back to the presidency. It has 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 role in ruling Russia after stepping down. Barred by term limits from running in the March presidential vote, he anointed Medvedev as his favored successor in December and pledged to serve as his prime minister.
