国际英语新闻:Putin confirms Medvedev to become PM if he wins presidential election

MOSCOW, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday confirmed that if he wins the 2012 presidential election, outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev would replace him in the new government.

"I would like to once again stress that if the voters trust us with forming the government, that is they vote for the United Russia and me as the Russian president," Putin said at a meeting with voters. "Dmitry Anatolyevich (Medvedev) would undoubtedly head the government."

Putin also noted that a national modernization plan should be implemented in all areas and urged changes in ways of Russia's economic development.

"Russia should end its dependence on oil and gas and perform a transition to the innovative development model," Putin said.

Putin said Sept. 24 that he would run for president in the March 4 election and suggested then that Medvedev should become prime minister after the elections.