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Putin confirmed as new Russian PM Putin confirmed as new Russian PM
(10 minutes later)
Russia's parliament has overwhelmingly approved former President Vladimir Putin as the new prime minister.Russia's parliament has overwhelmingly approved former President Vladimir Putin as the new prime minister.
He stepped down as president on Wednesday, handing over to his chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev. He handed over to Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday - his chosen successor, who was elected president in March.
The State Duma (lower house) voted 392-56 in favour of Mr Putin. His United Russia bloc dominates the house.The State Duma (lower house) voted 392-56 in favour of Mr Putin. His United Russia bloc dominates the house.
In a speech just before the vote, Mr Putin told parliament that he would strive for "single-digit inflation within a few years".In a speech just before the vote, Mr Putin told parliament that he would strive for "single-digit inflation within a few years".
He said Russia could overtake the UK in terms of GDP this year. Reducing the tax burden and widening the shareholder class were further priorities, he said.He said Russia could overtake the UK in terms of GDP this year. Reducing the tax burden and widening the shareholder class were further priorities, he said.
Within hours of being sworn in on Wednesday, Mr Medvedev had nominated Mr Putin, his mentor, as prime minister.Within hours of being sworn in on Wednesday, Mr Medvedev had nominated Mr Putin, his mentor, as prime minister.
Analysts say the powers of the prime minister will expand under Mr Putin, and he may in effect govern Russia jointly with the president.Analysts say the powers of the prime minister will expand under Mr Putin, and he may in effect govern Russia jointly with the president.
Mr Medvedev told the deputies: "I don't think anyone doubts that our tandem, our co-operation will only strengthen."Mr Medvedev told the deputies: "I don't think anyone doubts that our tandem, our co-operation will only strengthen."
Economic ambitionsEconomic ambitions
Mr Putin, a 55-year-old former KGB agent, was barred by the constitution from running for a third consecutive presidential term in the March elections.Mr Putin, a 55-year-old former KGB agent, was barred by the constitution from running for a third consecutive presidential term in the March elections.
The question of who wields the real power in the Kremlin will continue to fascinate, puzzle and perplex, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says.The question of who wields the real power in the Kremlin will continue to fascinate, puzzle and perplex, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says.
Mr Putin will remain Russia's most popular politician for the foreseeable future, which will give him huge influence over the man he mentored as his successor, our correspondent says.Mr Putin will remain Russia's most popular politician for the foreseeable future, which will give him huge influence over the man he mentored as his successor, our correspondent says.
In his speech to the Duma on Thursday, Mr Putin said that "to stimulate an increase in production and refining of oil, it is time to cut the tax burden in that sector".In his speech to the Duma on Thursday, Mr Putin said that "to stimulate an increase in production and refining of oil, it is time to cut the tax burden in that sector".
He said Russia must rank with the world's leading nations on key indicators such as levels of income and social welfare, quality of education, health and life expectancy.He said Russia must rank with the world's leading nations on key indicators such as levels of income and social welfare, quality of education, health and life expectancy.
He also spoke of the need to create "a real mass class of investors", saying even people on modest incomes should be able to hold shares.He also spoke of the need to create "a real mass class of investors", saying even people on modest incomes should be able to hold shares.