President Vladimir Putin proposed Dmitry Medvedev for the post of prime minister on Monday, the speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament said.
Putin first put forward the idea of a job swap with Medvedev, who stepped down as president on Monday after four years in office, last autumn. Then prime minister Putin told a congress of the ruling United Russia party that he would back Medvedev for premier in the event of his victory at presidential polls.
Putin won a landslide victory at March 4 presidential elections marred by allegations of vote fraud.
Parliament will consider Medvedev’s candidacy on Tuesday afternoon. The vote would appear to be a formality, as Medvedev enjoys the backing of United Russia, the leadership of which he is set to inherit from Putin in June.