Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted Monday a proposal to become prime minister following the expiration of his current term, Prime-Tass reports.
"If (Russian) citizens put their trust in (First Deputy Prime Minister) Dmitry Medvedev and elect him as president, I will be ready to head the government," Putin said at a congress of United Russia, the largest pro-Kremlin party.
Earlier this month Medvedev, whom Putin is favoring as a presidential candidate in the upcoming election, proposed appointing Putin as prime minister if he was elected. The next presidential election is slated for March 2, 2008.
Putin said that the president's functions and those of the government would not be changed. Political analysts have speculated that Putin might become prime minister with powers exceeding those of the president under a system close to a parliamentary republic.
Putin praised Medvedev, describing him as an "exceptionally honest and decent man" and an "excellent administrator." He also said that his relations with Medvedev were "good" and "trusting".
Putin went on to propose increasing public sector wages by 14%, as opposed to the 7% hike planned previously, and moving the timeline for the increase to February 1, 2008 from September 1, 2008. He also suggested raising military servicemen's wages by 18% in 2008 and moving the increase to February. It was not clear what increase of military wages was planned previously and when it was expected to take effect.