United Russia confirms Medvedev as party chief

Publisher	Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date	26 May 2012
Cite as	Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, United Russia confirms Medvedev as party chief, 26 May 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4fc8adc726.html [accessed 20 June 2013]
Disclaimer	This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

May 26, 2012

Russia's ruling United Russia party has confirmed Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as its new chief.

A party congress in Moscow on May 26 overwhelmingly approved Medvedev's candidacy to take over from President Vladimir Putin as party leader.

No other candidate stood for the post.

Medvedev who until recently had held the presidency since 2008 joined the United Russia party just four days ago.

Putin has led the party since 2007 but never formally joined.

Putin began a third term as president earlier this month after serving as prime minister under Medvedev.

United Russia has dominated the Russian parliament for a decade, but saw its popularity decline in December's parliamentary elections.

Those election results sparked unprecedented mass protests amid allegations of widespread fraud.

Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax