RUSSIA:VLADIMIR PUTIN has been offered the leadership of Russia's dominant political party, United Russia, when he gives up the presidency and becomes prime minister in May.
He has yet to respond to the offer but analysts said that if he agreed, the party leadership would considerably strengthen his position in relation to his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, who will be inaugurated on May 7th.
The next day the state duma, the lower house of parliament, will meet to endorse Mr Putin's appointment as prime minister, a subordinate job he has agreed to take because he says Russia needs stability and continuity.
If he were to lead the pro-Kremlin party, which commands a 315-seat majority in the 450-seat assembly, he would be insured against any attempt by Mr Medvedev (42) to sack him should their partnership sour. Although the president hires and fires the prime minister, parliament must give its approval. Parliament can also impeach the president.
The suggestion that Mr Putin should head United Russia, an artificial creation whose only policy has been to support the Kremlin, was made by party leader Boris Gryzlov, who said: "If Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin headed United Russia, it would be the very best option. Such a proposal will probably be made at our congress [ on April 14th]."
Mr Putin has distanced himself from the party until now. But analyst Andrei Ryabov of the Carnegie Centre said it would be a "logical step" for Mr Putin to be party leader, as he needed to bolster his position in a system that gave most power to the president. "As prime minister he will need more power than the constitution allows him, just in case," he said.
Analyst Alexander Tsipko said: "Putin remains the main political figure in Russia. United Russia could play an important role in helping him to keep power."
Mr Putin, who respected the constitution by declining to run for a third term, has made it clear that he will entrust foreign affairs to Mr Medvedev, who will represent Russia at this year's G8 summit.
- (Guardian service)