RUSSIA: Vladimir Putin yesterday gave his first apparent public indication as to whom he might favour to take over as Russian president in 2008, when he promoted two confidants, defence minister Sergei Ivanov and Kremlin chief of staff Dmitri Medvedev.
Mr Ivanov retained his defence portfolio but became deputy prime minister. Mr Medvedev, only recently mentioned by analysts as another possible successor, became first deputy prime minister.
The governor of the energy-rich Tyumen region, Sergei Sobyanin, became Mr Putin's new chief of staff.
The announcement will help quell speculation that Mr Putin is seeking a third term when his second, and last under the constitution, expires. It also helps fill a political void left by Kremlin inaction amid growing activity by Mr Putin's opponents over the 2008 race.