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New Russian Prime Minister Confirmed In Office

September 14, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- The Russian State Duma today overwhelmingly confirmed Viktor Zubkov as prime minister.

The lower house, dominated by the pro-Kremlin Unified Russia party and other allies of President Vladimir Putin, voted 381-47, with eight abstentions, to endorse Zubkov.

In remarks to lawmakers prior to his confirmation, Zubkov -- who had served as the head of a government body tasked with fighting money laundering -- urged the Duma to pass new legislation to battle graft and vowed to set up an anticorruption task force.

"Corruption permeates our society, so, of course, measures should be taken as soon as possible," he said. "First of all, we need to adopt a law on corruption because, while we talk a lot about corruption, there is no clear definition of what corruption is and how to fight it."

Zubkov also said that "it is time for personnel changes" in the government and singled out the so-called "social bloc," which is headed by acting Health and Social Development Minister Mikhail Zurabov, for criticism.

"Of course, there are many problems now in the social sector," he said. "People are unhappy. And, of course, we will take measures and make personnel changes. It is necessary, and we will take such measures."

Zubkov also said he plans to personally oversee key economic ministries, including the Finance Ministry and the Economic Development and Trade Ministry, although he did not directly criticize Trade Minister German Gref or Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin.

Zubkov also pledged to continue Putin's economic policies and strengthen Russia's defense industry.

"Another strategic goal is the development of our military-industrial complex," he said. "There are budget resources allocated for that purpose. What is important now is to use them efficiently and competently, and to ensure control over spending."

Zubkov's approval comes two days after the previous prime minister, Mikhail Fradkov, resigned on September 12.

Putin was widely expected to nominate First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who is seen as a front-runner to succeed Putin as president. But the president shocked Russia's political elite by proposing the little-known Zubkov, a longtime St. Petersburg ally who had served as the head of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service.

The change comes in the run-up to Russia's election season. The country is due to hold parliamentary elections in December and a presidential vote in March 2008. Much of Russia's political elite is expecting Putin, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in office, to name his preferred successor prior to the presidential election.

Zubkov has not ruled out running for president in March 2008.

Copyright (c) 2007. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org