Putin confirmed as Russia's prime minister
Russian loyal lawmakers confirmed Vladimir Putin as prime minister Thursday.
The State Duma approved Putin in an overwhelming 392-56 vote after Medvedev told lawmakers that Putin had restored the world's respect for Russia and improved the lives of its citizens in eight years as president.
Medvedev said he would sign a decree making Putin Prime Minister later in the day.
Medvedev formally nominated Putin in one of his first acts as president Wednesday. His confirmation was never in doubt in the Duma, the lower parliament house, where his United Russia party holds 315 of the 450 seats, the AP reports.
The State Duma approved Putin in an overwhelming 392-56 vote after Medvedev told lawmakers that Putin had restored the world's respect for Russia and improved the lives of its citizens in eight years as president.
Medvedev said he would sign a decree making Putin Prime Minister later in the day.
Medvedev formally nominated Putin in one of his first acts as president Wednesday. His confirmation was never in doubt in the Duma, the lower parliament house, where his United Russia party holds 315 of the 450 seats, the AP reports.
