Putin confirmed as Russia’s Prime Minister

Putin confirmed as Russia’s Prime Minister

armradio.am
08.05.2008 17:38

Russia’s lower house of parliament approved Vladimir Putin as prime
minister on Thursday, a day after he stepped down as president
following eight years as head of state, RIA Novosti reported.

All 448 lawmakers were in parliament for the vote. Putin was
overwhelmingly approved as premier by 392 votes to 56.

The outcome of the vote was widely expected as the ruling pro-Kremlin
United Russia party holds a two thirds majority in the State Duma. The
Communists voted against Putin.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, sworn in on Wednesday, first offered
the post of premier to Putin after being nominated as a presidential
candidate by United Russia and three other pro-Kremlin parties in
December.

He officially nominated Putin as premier after the inauguration
ceremony at the Kremlin.

Speaking after the Duma vote, Medvedev said: "I am positive we will
continue to enjoy fruitful cooperation between the executive and
legislative branches of power, the like of which we witnessed today in
the State Duma."