President Dmitri Medvedev (1965-)
President Medvedev dismissed the Cabinet of Viktor Zubkov. They are now caretakers pending a new government team under Vladimir Putin taking over on 15 May. In a parallel move, Mr Medvedev formally asked the Lower House of Parliament to give approval to his choice of Vladimir Putin for the next Premier. The speaker rewsponsible is Boris Gryzlov and the Chamber has received a formal Medvedev paper concerning this. Its executive is agreeing on the procedures for Mr Putin to accept the nomination. The vote on his candidacy is set for Thursday at noon. Given unconditional support by the parliamentary bloc of United Russia, A Just Russia, and the Liberal Democrats, Mr Putin as Premier is a done deal. Only the minority Communists are going to vote against him. Mr Putin is appearing before faction leaders tonight to answer questions ahead of his formal nomination.
7 May 2008
Aleksei Dyakonov
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=26771&cid=56&p=07.05.2008 (in English)
Voice of Russia World Service
