Putin springs surprise choice for PM's job
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President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday named the little-known head of a financial market watchdog as his prime minister in a surprise move that kept Russians guessing over who would succeed him in the Kremlin.
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Russia's parliament overwhelmingly confirmed Viktor Zubkov as prime minister on Friday, two days after President Vladimir Putin surprised observers by nominating the virtually-unknown official.
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Vladimir Putinâs pick for a new premier is likely to become the top candidate for president in the upcoming election.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin  dismissed his prime minister on Wednesday, clearing the way for  him to appoint a new premier who is likely to become the  leading candidate in an election for president next March.
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President Vladimir Putin has appointed a firebrand nationalist as Russia's permanent representative to NATO as the Kremlin takes a more assertive stance with its Cold War foe.
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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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Russia's lower house of parliament was set to vote on President Vladimir Putin's surprise nominee for prime minister Friday, with confirmation assured in the Kremlin-controlled chamber.
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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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President Vladimir Putin has signed a  decree appointing a nationalist politician as Russia's  permanent representative to NATO, a source close to the  situation told Reuters on Wednesday.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin's choice for new prime minister, Viktor Zubkov, was overwhelmingly approved in a Friday vote by Russia's lower house of parliament, a live broadcast on state-run TV showed.
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Russia's parliament is expected to vote overwhelmingly on Friday to approve President Vladimir Putin's nominee for prime minister, political unknown Viktor Zubkov.
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The popularity of Russia's First Deputy  Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has more than doubled since  President Vladimir Putin named him his preferred successor two  weeks ago, an opinion poll showed on Thursday.
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Russian president willing to take on role if Dmitry Medvedev is elected to succeed him as president
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When Russian President Vladimir Putin came to power, he was hailed as a tough and terse strongman who would crush Chechen separatists and make the fragile federation safe for ordinary citizens.
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The nomination of Viktor Zubkov, a relatively obscure cabinet official, took most of Moscow by surprise.
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How is this for a literary conceit? Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's rotund, irrepressible prime minister, is entertaining Vladimir Putin, Russia's trim, self-disciplined president, in Sardinia at the prime ...
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will step down next year after eight years in power, may have a surprise choice for his preferred successor, state news agency RIA Novosti said on Friday, quoting a senior Kremlin aide.