Russian President Vladimir Putin has nominated financial
intelligence chief Viktor Zubkov as candidate for prime minister on
Wednesday, hours after he dissolved the government at the request
of Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov.
Russia's State Duma, the lower house of the parliament, may
gather for an urgent session next week to consider the candidate
for prime minister, said First Deputy Speaker Oleg Morozov.
According to Russian law, the president will appoint a new prime
minister after reaching an agreement with the State Duma, which
will consider the presidents candidate within a week after it is
submitted to the Lower House.
Fradkov told Putin in a meeting that his request was related to
the upcoming parliament and presidential elections and he hope "to
give the president a free hand in decision-making, including
personnel appointments," Itar-Tass reported.
Putin also thanked Fradkov for his work and asked him to stay in
office until the State Duma has approved of his successor.
The parliament election was slated for early December and the
presidential election was expected to be held next March.
The 57-year-old Fradkov was appointed as prime minister in
2004.
(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2007)
