Russia’s Palriament on Tuesday confirmed former president Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister after he was nominated by newly inaugurated President Vladimir Putin.

Russia’s Palriament on Tuesday confirmed former president Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister after he was nominated by newly inaugurated President Vladimir Putin.

Medvedev was backed by 299 deputies in the State Duma with 144 voting against his nomination, sealing a job swap with Putin who until his inauguration Monday had served as premier for four years.

The new PM’s approval had been guaranteed after the ruling United Russia party and the largely pro-government bloc of the ultra-nationalist lawmaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky pledged their support.
Putin then signed the decree meaning that Medvedev formally assumed his duties as premier.

"I will do my best to maintain the positive dynamics of key directions in social and economic development and solve the problems that stand in the way of achieving our goals", Medvedev told lawmakers.
He also said the government should become more accountable and responsive to people's needs.

"We will have to consolidate society around solving key problems, and prove that the state is inseparable from the people and that it should serve the people" Medvedev added.