Russia's parliament will vote on whether to confirm Vladimir Putin as prime minister on May 8th, the day after he steps down as president, the speaker of parliament said today.
Mr Putin, who is stepping down in line with a constitutional term limit, has said he will serve as prime minister once his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, is sworn in as president on May 7th.
"We are awaiting May 7th, the inauguration, and we are awaiting May 8th, when we will confirm the candidate for prime minister," Boris Gryzlov, speaker of the State Duma lower house of parliament, told a news conference.
Putin is expected to serve as prime minister when he steps down as president
"If Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin headed United Russia, it would be the very best option," he added.
Gryzlov said he would invite Putin to head the party at its congress later this month, which the Russian leader is expected to attend.
"Such a proposal (for Putin to head the party) will probably be made at the congress. I could myself make the proposal and that would be the correct way," said Gryzlov.
The Kremlin has not given any indication of whether Putin would accept the invitation to head the party.
Control over the majority in parliament would further entrench Putin's position. The president has the power to sack the prime minister but he has to seek parliament's approval to appoint a new premier