Vladimir Putin completed his plan yesterday to retain power in Russia, without the involvement of a single voter.

Dmitri Medvedev repaid the compliment of being chosen as his successor in the Kremlin by declaring that Mr Putin should serve as Prime Minister after he leaves the presidency.

The development clears the way for Mr Putin to rule Russia as premier while his protégé Mr Medvedev acts as a figurehead leader.

The announcement settled within 24 hours the two key questions that have dominated Russian politics for months ahead of the presidential election next March: the identity of Mr Putin's successor and his own future role.

Mr Medvedev, 42, is Russia's first deputy prime minister but has never run for elected office and is reliant on Mr Putin's support. The backing of the Kremlin will reduce the election to little more than an invitation for voters to endorse yesterday's arrangement.

In a televised address, Mr Medvedev declared that Mr Putin had saved Russia from economic collapse and civil war after the chaos of the 1990s. His policies had restored Russia's “overpowering position in the world community” and brought economic success.

“To follow this course it is not enough to elect a new president who agrees with this ideology. It is no less important to keep the unity of the team formed by the current president,” Mr Medvedev said.

“I appeal to him to give his agreement in principle to head the government of Russia after a new president of our country has been chosen.”

The invitation has not yet been accepted but it is unthinkable that Mr Medvedev would have announced it without Mr Putin's approval. Mr Putin has ruled since 2000 but is barred by the constitution from a third successive term.

Mr Medvedev will now run as “Putin's candidate” with a clear pledge that a vote for him will be a vote to restore Mr Putin to real power.

The initiative is not without risk for Mr Putin, however, since the Prime Minister is subservient to the President under the Constitution.

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