(Agencies/Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-11 20:05

Moscow - Dmitry Medvedev, whose candidacy for Russian leader has the endorsement of President Vladimir Putin, called on Tuesday for Putin to become prime minister after the March 2 election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) walks with First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in a Kremlin corridor before a meeting in Moscow in this June 8, 2006 file photo. [Agencies]

Putin, who was barred by constitution for a third consecutive term, said Monday he would support Medvedev, currently first deputy prime minister, to run for president.

"Having expressed my readiness to run for president of Russia, I appeal to (Putin) with a request to give his principal agreement to head the Russian government after the election of the new president of our country," Medvedev said in televised address a day after Putin endorsed his candidacy.

Medvedev also pledged to maintain the continuity of policies forged by President Putin.

"It is not enough to choose a new president, who can divide up all those responsibilities. It's no less important to preserve the capable team formed by the current president," he noted. 

Pro-Kremlin party leaders of the United Russia, Fair Russia, Agrarian and Civil Force, have jointly proposed Medvedev as the presidential candidate.

Medvedev, 42, was expected to be officially nominated for the candidacy at the United Russia congress on December 17. He was carrying out consultations with parties on his candidature.

Putin, 55, has pledged to step down after next March's election but vowed to retain influence on policy-making. There have been suggestions for him to take the position of parliament speaker or of prime minister but he has not confirmed either.

In the presidential elections there will be a "vote of confidence" in a person for whom "the further progressive, democratic movement of Russia and compliance with the liabilities to the people will be the indisputable benchmark and priority," Itar-Tass cited Putin as saying in a meeting with foreign ambassadors.

Medvedev, a former law professor and close ally of President Putin, was promoted to the position of presidential chief of staff in 2003 and took the post of first deputy prime minister in 2005.

Medvedev was reappointed with the same position in September 24, 2007 in a government reshuffle, and was in charge of the economy and social development affairs covering public health, education, housing and agriculture.

The presidential race formally kicked off in Russia on November 28 when the date for elections to choose a successor to Putin was set for March 2, 2008.