MOSCOW (AFP) — President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday agreed to head Russia's ruling party in a significant shift of the political landscape three weeks before he hands power to successor Dmitry Medvedev.
Putin, who leaves the Kremlin after two terms on May 7, also confirmed he would become prime minister under Medvedev.
"With gratitude I accept the proposal of the party members and their leadership.... I am ready to take on the additional responsibility and head United Russia," he told a party congress in Moscow after being urged to take the post.
The 55-year-old ex-KGB officer's announcement, carried live on state-run television, signalled a reordering of Russia's political mix on the eve of Medvedev's presidential debut.
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Right before Medvedev takes power Putin gives himself one more head role in the government. It has been known that Putin would be the Prime Minister, but he is now also going to be the leader of the most powerful political party in Russia. When Medvedev finally takes power it will be interesting to see whether Putin takes over any more roles and just how much he cuts back.
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