Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a United Russia party congress in Moscow April 15, 2008.
Photo: Reuters
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Putin Elected to Lead United Russia
United Russia’s Congress unanimously elected Russia’s President Vladimir Putin its chairman. Putin agreed to lead the party after inauguration of President-Elect Dmitry Medvedev.
Putin also confirmed readiness to head the cabinet once he steps down as president. President Vladimir Putin and President-Elect Dmitry Medvedev were offered to join the party at the Congress, but declined the invitation.
“As I have said many times, and my opinion hasn’t changed today, it isn’t appropriate when the head of the state leads this or that party irrespective of his political preference,” RIA Novosti quoted Putin as saying.
The Federal Registration Service had registered a new Charter of United Russia, where an independent could be its chairman, United Russia’s leader Boris Gryzlov said before voting. Gryzlov, who currently chairs the party and its Supreme Board is likely to remain the chairman of the latter.
www.kommersant.com
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