Putin Confirmed as Russian PM

A day after the new Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev was sworn in, his predecessor Vladimir Putin was officially appointed Prime Minister of the Russian Federation on Thursday, ITAR-TASS reported.

The state Duma approved Putin's appointment earlier on Thursday with 392 deputies voting in favor and 56 voting against, with at least 226 votes necessary.

Only several hours later Medvedev signed the decree making Putin Chair of Russia's Council of Ministers.

Medvedev, 42, was inaugurated as president at the Kremlin before 2,300 invited guests in an elaborate ceremony with marching soldiers and military music.

He became the third Russian president since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Associated Press reported that one of his first acts as President was nominating his predecessor Vladimir Putin as prime minister.

The announcement came about two hours after Medvedev took the oath of office on Wednesday, AP reported.

The inauguration ceremony marked a dramatic transition of power in Russia, but there are questions about how much power Medvedev will actually have.

Putin, who served two consecutive four-year terms, will stay close by his protege. He became chairman of the ruling United Russia party last month.

The new president submitted Putin's nomination as prime minister to the State Duma hours after taking the oath of office. The lower house of parliament will consider the nomination tomorrow. Putin is also head of the United Russia party, which dominates parliament, possibly setting up a battle for leadership.