Putin for Russia's ruling party leadership

RUSSIA: President Vladimir Putin was expected Tuesday to take up leadership of Russia's ruling party in a significant shift of the political landscape three weeks before he hands power to successor Dmitry Medvedev.

Putin, who is to become prime minister after stepping down from the Kremlin at the end of two terms on May 7, was to address a United Russia party congress in Moscow later Tuesday.

The 55-year-old ex-KGB officer has not confirmed that he will accept the party's request, issued Monday in a nationally televised session of the congress. However, there seemed little doubt.

During his eight years in the Kremlin, Putin steadily centralised power, with United Russia his tool for ensuring loyalty of the parliament. In December parliamentary elections seen by critics as stage-managed the party won 63 percent of the vote, forming a constitutional majority.

Putin "has always been with the party and the party has always supported him," the current United Russia leader Boris Gryzlov said Monday.

Moscow, Tuesday, AFP