President Putin yesterday agreed to become Russia's Prime Minister after he steps down as President next year.

He sealed his carefully crafted plan for retaining power at a congress of the United Russia party that was called to confirm Dmitri Medvedev, his chosen successor, as its candidate for the presidential election on March 2. Party representatives voted 478-1 in favour of Mr Medvedev, who was the sole nominee. He addressed the congress only briefly and was entirely overshadowed by Mr Putin's presence.

Mr Putin told the gathering: “If the people give their trust to Dmitri Medvedev and he is elected president, then I would be ready to continue my work as head of government.”

Mr Medvedev, currently First Deputy Prime Minister, had invited Mr Putin to head the Government last week. That offer came a day after Mr Putin had named Mr Medvedev as the man he wanted to succeed him.

“With Vladimir Putin we will together resolve the most difficult and biggest tasks,” Mr Medvedev told United Russia. Neither he nor Mr Putin are members of the party, which won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections this month that were heavily criticised.

Registration of presidential candidates closes on Friday and Mr Medvedev has no serious challengers. His principal rival is the Communist Party leader, Gennadi Zyuganov, who has already lost twice.

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