Russia's lower house of parliament is today set to vote on President Vladimir Putin's nominee for prime minister.
The scheduled vote comes just two days after Mr Putin stunned the nation by choosing the little-known Viktor Zubkov, a long-time associate who has headed Russia's anti-money laundering agency, as prime minister.
When Mr Putin dismissed long-time premier Mikhail Fradkov on Wednesday, Russians had widely expected him to replace him with former defence minister Sergei Ivanov in a signal that Mr Ivanov would run as his chosen successor in the March presidential vote.
Mr Putin is constitutionally barred from seeking a third straight term.
Mr Zubkov (65) added to the intrigue yesterday by saying he would not rule out a presidential bid, a remark he would have been unlikely to have made without Mr Putin's approval.
It served as a further indication that Mr Putin's choice was meant to show the country - and particularly to Kremlin factions jockeying for position ahead of the election - that he is no lame duck.
AP
