Moscow - The Russian parliament prepared yesterday for a battle with President Yeltsin over the man he has nominated as prime minister.
Parliamentary managers in the State Duma, or lower house, agreed to put a controversial draft on the chamber's agenda for today on Mr Sergei Kiriyenko (35).
"We have included in tomorrow's agenda a debate on the appeal asking Yeltsin to convene round-table talks on Thursday and for the time being suspend considering his candidate," the Speaker, Mr Gennady Seleznyov, said.
A deputy Speaker said if Mr Yeltsin did not agree to the talks, Mr Kiriyenko would fall at the first hurdle when he faced formal confirmation in the Duma on Friday.