Putin named Russian prime minister

VLADIMIR Putin was named prime minister of Russia yesterday after a fervent speech full of ambitious plans that overshadowed his low-key successor and suggested he will keep a strong hand in ruling the country.

Putin promised to build on Russia’s economic recovery and work to satisfy its people’s dreams of comfort and prosperity.

Loyal lawmakers in the State Duma confirmed Putin in a 392-56 vote after a confirmation hearing, the outcome of which was never in doubt.

The new president, Dmitry Medvedev, portrayed his mentor’s eight-year presidency as a time of transformation. One legislator told the nationwide TV audience Putin had “raised Russia from its knees”.

Putin’s unprecedented move from the Kremlin to the No 2 post will keep him politically prominent for the foreseeable future and could serve as a springboard back to the presidency.

In his own speech Putin said the “consolidation of political forces and solidarity of society” was imperative for Russia’s progress.

Focusing on the economy in commanding detail Putin set lofty goals, saying Russia must be among the top nations in terms of living standards within 10 or 15 years — a tantalising prospect for Russians who have struggled for decades to get by.

He said inflation must be kept in the single digits — though last year it was over 10%.

He said Russia’s economy could surpass Britain’s this year and become the world’s sixth-largest.

Putin also acknowledged problems that have persisted amid the oil-fuelled economic recovery that coincided with his presidency. He said Russia must lessen its reliance on its energy resources but also ease taxes to boost sluggish oil production, and warned of the toll taken by the nation’s drinking and smoking habits.