New PM Putin focuses on economy

Vladimir Putin yesterday took over as Russia's prime minister a day after leaving the Kremlin and pledged to curb inflation and cut taxes to make Russia a leading economic power.

Putin said in a speech to parliament presenting his candidacy that he wanted "single-digit inflation within a few years" as part of a long-term plan to make the country a global economic leader by 2020.

Legislators voted 392-56 to appoint him as prime minister, with the opposing votes coming from the Communists, the only opposition grouping in parliament.