Putin sworn in as PM - and Russia's real ruler

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss"

-- The Who
-- Won't get fooled again

Pete Townsend & Keith Moon by Ronnie Wood

Vladimir Putin was today confirmed as Russia's new prime minister by the country's lower house of parliament in a move that formalises his power-sharing role with the new president Dmitry Medvedev.

Deputies in Russia's state duma voted overwhelmingly to support Putin's candidacy – by 392 to 56 votes. Only the communists voted against. MP's from Putin's United Russia party then led a standing ovation.

Today's widely anticipated move follows the inauguration yesterday of 42-year-old Medvedev – Putin's close ally - as Russia's third post-Soviet leader. Immediately after today's vote Medevev said he would pass a decree formally naming Putin as head of Russia's new government.

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