Biggest party to invite Putin to take charge
Russia’s biggest party will invite Vladimir Putin to become its leader, the party’s chief said Monday, a role that would further bolster Putin’s influence after he steps down from the presidency next month.
Putin has said he will become prime minister after his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, is sworn in May 7, but leadership of the pro-Kremlin United Russia party would in effect give him control of parliament, where the party has a large majority.
“If Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin headed United Russia, it would be the very best option,” Boris Gryzlov, the head of United Russia and speaker of the lower house of parliament, told a news conference.
“Such a proposal will probably be made at the congress. I could myself make the proposal and that would be the correct way,” Gryzlov said.
The Kremlin has not given any indication of whether Putin would accept.
Putin, a 55-year-old former KGB spy, is stepping down in line with a constitutional term limit. He endorsed Medvedev as his replacement, helping the 42-year-old former lawyer to an easy victory in last month’s presidential election.
Some analysts say Putin, not Medvedev, will hold the real power after the change-over.
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