Medvedev backs Putin for PM

8220;As I confirm my readiness to run for Russian President, I appeal to President Putin with a request to give his consent in principle to head the Russian Government after the new President is elected,8221; Medvedev said in a televised remark on Russian TV, while addressing the leaders of the four parties which proposed him for President.

He said he believed it was of paramount importance for the country to retain Putin in an executive position and preserve his team. 8220;It is one thing to elect a President, it is no less important to maintain the efficiency of the team,8221; Medvedev said.

He said his agreement to run for the presidency in March was prompted by the need to ensure continuity in the course Russia had been following for eight years, since Putin was first elected President.

8220;What do we value today? Stability, improving living standards and hopes for sustainable development,8221; he said, stressing education, healthcare and housing as the spheres where the first results were seen.

8220;Over the last few years, the authorities have managed to ease poverty, create an up-to-date health service and education, cope with the acute housing problem and achieve a new quality of life in rural areas,8221; he said.

8220;To move on along this path, it will be not enough to elect a President who shares this ideology. It is as important to preserve the capability of the team the current President has formed,8221; he said.

Medvedev pointed out that Putin8217;s party won an impressive victory in the State Duma elections. 8220;Only in that composition the new legislative and executive authorities will manage to perform effectively,8221; he said.

Accepting the credentials of a group of new ambassadors in the Kremlin on Tuesday, Putin expressed the hope that in the coming presidential election Russians will vote for the candidate whose priority will be Russia8217;s progress towards democracy.

8220;The position voiced by the majority of the population at the State Duma elections gives hope that at the upcoming presidential election in Russia, people will choose someone whose absolute priority will be to make sure Russia continues to move toward democracy and all obligations assumed before the country8217;s citizens are being met,8221; Putin said.