Protege Eyes Putin As Prime Minister

MOSCOW - Dmitry Medvedev, who was just endorsed by President Vladimir Putin as his preferred successor, turned around Tuesday and said he wants Putin to serve as prime minister after presidential elections next March.

In a formal address on state television, Medvedev said Russia needs "to ensure the continuity of the course of the past eight years."

"I consider it of fundamental importance for our country to retain Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in the most important position in the executive branch, the post of prime minister of the Russian Federation," said Medvedev, 42.

Medvedev is a first deputy prime minister who has worked with Putin since they both served in city government in St. Petersburg in the early 1990s.

"I ask him to give his consent, in principle, to head the Russian government after a new Russian president is elected," Medvedev said.

The Kremlin had no immediate comment on Medvedev's offer, but it seems unlikely that Putin's friend and colleague would have made the offer without clearing it with his political patron.

And should Putin accept, it will only add to the sense of invincibility that surrounds Medvedev's candidacy.

With Putin's approval ratings above 80 percent, the president's choice, backed by the Kremlin's resources, is practically unbeatable.

Putin is prohibited by the constitution from serving a third consecutive term but has long insisted that he will continue to play an influential role in Russia.

However, he has not said what position he will choose to continue to exercise authority.

Putin first said at a congress of the pro-Kremlin United Russia party in October that he might be interested in becoming premier.

"To head the government is quite a real proposal," he said.

Medvedev's offer suggests the two are planning to redistribute power within the political system, analysts said.

As a powerful prime minister, Putin also could protect his liberal protege from the Kremlin factions centered on the security services and that resent the selection of Medvedev as the next president.