Medvedev becomes Russia’s PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree appointing Dmitry Medvedev Russia's new Prime Minister, President’s press office reports.

Medvedev elected Russia’s PM

Today, an ad hoc session of the Russian Parliament approved the candidacy of ex-president Dmitry Medvedev as Russia's new Prime Minister.

Incumbent Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will now sign a decree to finalize the procedure.

Medvedev’s candidacy was upheld by 299 MPs (73 more votes than required), with 144 MPs voting against.

Medvedev backs swift ratification of Russia's accession to WTO

Dmitry Medvedev has stressed there is no reason to delay the ratification of the WTO accession.

He noted Russia has secured considerable concessions from the WTO leadership as to its average tariff rate quotas and a concession period for Russia’s most economically-vulnerable industrial sectors, such as agriculture.

Medvedev backs investigative anti-corruption journalism

Former Russia’s president Dmitry Medvedev, who is now bidding to become prime minister, has backed the proposal to reward anti-corruption journalists, who are conducting high-profile anti-corruption investigations.

He also called for creating an atmosphere of complete intolerance to corruption, one of the main challenges facing the government, and promised it will be tackled.

Medvedev open to political dialogue

Russia’s PM hopeful Dmitry Medvedev has said he is open to a dialogue with all political forces in the country, adding that the government ought to consider the interests of all the social groups.

Medvedev further vowed to increase education spending to 5 trillion roubles. He stressed that it was important to introduce the appropriate law by the end of 2012 and pledged that this legislation will provide all of Russia's citizens with access to quality education.

New govt to modernize Russia

The next Russian government will back modernization strategies along the existing guidelines to meet the previously set goals, said Dmitry Medvedev, who is now bidding for the PM office.

Speaking at a State Duma ad hoc session, Medvedev has called on the parliament to adhere to the principle of consolidating excess revenues from the sales of commodities in the reserve fund and limit the country's GDP deficit to 1%.

Putin praises Medvedev as experienced politician 

Opening his speech before the State Duma today, President Vladimir Putin congratulated MPs on the upcoming Victory Day. 

“We all know Dmitry Medvedev as an experienced politician, who aims at introducing reforms and promoting development, as a true patriot of his country,” Putin said. 

“I believe Dmitry Medvedev will be open for further constructive partnership with all the parties and movements, with the country’s parliament and its various factions,” he noted.

Putin arrives at Duma to endorse Medvedev’s bid for PM

Russia’s newly-elected President Vladimir Putin arrived at the State Duma on Tuesday to attend an ad hoc plenary session of the lower house which will consider Dmitry Medvedev’s bid for the post of prime minister.

Medvedev arrived at the Russian Parliament early in the morning.

State Duma to consider candidacy of Medvedev as Prime Minister

On Tuesday, the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, will consider Dmitry Medvedev as a candidate for the Russian premiership.

Under the Russian Constitution the lower house of parliament can approve a candidate nominated by the Russian president for the post of prime minister.

The plenary session is slated for 3 p.m. Moscow time.

On Monday, after the presidential inauguration Russian President Vladimir Putin nominated Medvedev as a candidate for Prime Minister in the State Duma.

Putin also signed a package of 11 decrees relating to the country’s strategic development.

By now the factions of the United Russia party and the Liberal Democratic Party have supported the candidacy of Medvedev for the post of Prime Minister.

Russian leftists to vote against Medvedev’s PM bid

Fair Russia’s head Sergei Mironov has called on his party to “consolidate” their votes against the candidacy of Dmitry Medvedev as Russia’s prime minister.         

A communist deputy, Vladimir Bessonov, also announced that Russia’s left wing wasn’t going to support Dmitry Medvedev who was endorsed in this role by newly-elected President Vladimir Putin.

The vote will be held at a plenary Duma session today.  

TASS, RIA, Interfax