By IRNA,
Moscow : President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday accepted an offer to become chairman of the Russian ruling party, United Russia.
Putin, who steps down as the Russian president next month, told nearly 600 party delegates on Tuesday “I accept the invitation of the party”.
Putin is due to hand over the presidency to his long-standing aide Dmitry Medvedev.
Putin confirmed that he would become prime minister.
United Russia controls two-thirds of the seats in parliament, and exerts great influence through its administrative and financial means.
Medvedev declined to join United Russia, saying such a move would be “premature”.
He is due to be sworn in as president on May 7. He won the March 2 election by a landslide.
Referring to Medvedev’s decision, Putin said “I do not believe it is sensible for a head of state, wherever his political affections are, to lead a party. Here I fully agree with Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev”.
“As for the chairman of the government (prime minister), a situation in which the head of the executive branch leads a party is a civilised and natural practice that is traditional for democratic states,” Putin told the congress.
“Coordinated work between the government and the parliamentary majority allows us to successfully resolve the tasks of developing the economy, enhancing the quality of healthcare and education, raising the income of the population and strengthening the country’s defence.”