Russian Leader Expands Powers of a Possible Successor
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MOSCOW, Feb. 15 -- President Vladimir Putin promoted Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov to the post of first deputy prime minister Thursday, an elevation that immediately intensified speculation that Putin might favor him as his successor.
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The Kremlin's pervasive control over the legislative branch and regional bodies would be strengthened under the plan.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said on  Monday he was ready to work as prime minister if his favored  successor, Dmitry Medvedev, is elected president next year, but  would not seek additional powers.
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Russia&#39;s new prime minister, Viktor  Zubkov, could become president in 2008 and Vladimir Putin  should return to office in 2012, the head of Russia&#39;s upper  house of parliament said on Tuesday.
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The Russian State Duma approved President Vladimir Putin's plan to replace direct popular election of regional leaders with a system under which they would be nominated by the president.
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President Vladimir V. Putin said he intended to wield substantial power after leaving office next month.
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The man tipped to become Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, calls for sweeping legal reforms.
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The Russian man wanted by Britain on suspicion of killing Alexander Litvinenko said on Monday he would like to become president of Russia.
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SOCHI, Russia  - Vladimir Putin's chosen candidate for next month's presidential election seized the opportunity to emphasize the continuity of power at an event on Sunday in Russia's future Winter Olympics capital.
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The Russian president hinted for the first time, however, that the balance of power shift in his favor if he becomes prime minister.
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Description: Russian President Vladimir Putin recently made sweeping political changes to consolidate his power in the name of a more effective anti-terrorism strategy.
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Russia's president installs a trusted ally, rather than one of the top contenders for the presidency, in the crucial post of prime minister. But does that really make him Putin's successor?
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he was ready to work as prime minister if his favored successor, Dmitry Medvedev, is elected president next year, but would not seek additional powers.
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Russia's next president will remain the  country's most powerful official even with outgoing head of  state Vladimir Putin as prime minister, Putin's likely  successor Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview on Monday.
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As Moscow moves to assert the Kremlin s authority in response to the Beslan crisis, it is simultaneously pushing for stronger economic and political ties with the former Soviet republics.
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Russia's new prime minister, Viktor Zubkov, could become president in 2008 and Vladimir Putin should return to office in 2012, the head of Russia's upper house of parliament said on Tuesday.
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The proposals would strengthen Vladimir V. Putin's already pervasive control over the legislative branch and regional governments.