Vladimir Putin completed his grand plan to retain power in Russia by assuming formal control of the country’s largest political party yesterday. He became chairman of United Russia and confirmed that he would serve as Prime Minister when he steps down as President.

The decisions drain authority from the President-elect, Dmitri Medvedev, by placing Mr Putin in charge of the Government and Duma, the parliament. For the first time in Russia’s post-Soviet history, the Prime Minister will also head the largest party in the Duma, limiting Mr Medvedev’s room for manoeuvre when he becomes President on May 7.

The President can dismiss the Prime Minister at any time but the Duma must endorse a successor and United Russia controls 315 of its 450 seats. Mr Putin is effectively guarding against the possibility, however remote, that his chosen heir may turn against him.

Boris Gryzlov, the leader of United Russia in the Duma, proposed Mr Putin as leader at the party congress in Moscow. Mr Putin replied: “I am ready to take on myself the additional responsibility and head the party. I promise to do everything to strengthen the influence and authority of the party.”

Delegates elected Mr Putin, 55, by an unanimous show of hands, even though he is not a party member. United Russia changed its statutes specially on Monday to allow this. He will be chairman for four years, holding out the prospect of a return to the Kremlin in 2012.

The carefully choreographed moves, broadcast live on state television, ended a project begun by Mr Putin last October when he declared his intention to be Prime Minister. He headed the candidate list of United Russia in the landslide victory in a parliamentary election in December, which was condemned as undemocratic by international observers.

A week later he annointed Mr Medvedev, 42, as his chosen successor. By taking formal control of United Russia Mr Putin ensures that the authority of Mr Medvedev in the Kremlin is balanced by his own powerbase in the Duma and White House, the seat of Russia’s Government.

Mr Medvedev, who declined a membership invitation at the conference, called it a logical and timely development that would boost co-operation between the Kremlin and parliament.

The move drew comparisons with the former Soviet Union, when the Communist Party controlled state structures. Many analysts will view the decision as further evidence that Mr Medvedev will be little more than a figurehead, while real power remains in the hands of Mr Putin.

“Basically, Medvedev will not be able to rule without Putin’s agreement,” Aleksei Pushkov, a professor of international relations, said.

United Russia has discussed development programmes for Russia until 2020, at a meeting this week, based on the “Putin course”.

Mr Gryzlov said: “The eight presidential annual addresses delivered by Vladimir Putin are what define the ‘Putin course’ — the course toward becoming a great power, a great Russia. And this is the programme of our party.”

Russia’s Constitution barred Mr Putin from a third successive term. Sergei Markov, a Duma deputy for United Russia, said: “Medvedev is leader of the state and of the Russian Federation but the political leader of the country remains Putin.”

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