Medvedev approved for new term as Russia's prime minister

By: The Associated Press

Tuesday, May 8, 2018 12:05 PM

MOSCOW (AP) Russia's house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved Dmitry Medvedev for a new term as prime minister.

Medvedev was nominated a day earlier by President Vladimir Putin, who was inaugurated for a fourth term as Russia's president. Putin signed a decree formalizing Medvedev's appointment soon after the parliamentary vote.

Medvedev has been prime minister since 2012, after four years serving as Russia's president while Putin switched to the premiership because of term limits.

He is expected to make changes in the current lineup of deputy prime ministers and department ministers, but it wasn't clear Tuesday when those changes would be announced.

As prime minister, Medvedev will be responsible for implementing the ambitious plan for Russia's development that Putin issued after his inauguration. The plan calls for heightened efforts to diversify Russia's economy, which is now heavily dependent on oil and gas exports, by strengthening the technology sector and boosting agricultural exports.

Putin wants Russia to become one of the world's top five economies by the time his new term ends in 2024.

Medvedev approved for new term as Russia's prime minister

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev arrive to attend a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Russia's house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved Dmitry Medvedev for a new term as prime minister. He will serve under Vladimir Putin, who began a fourth presidential term on Monday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Acting Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev speaks during a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The State Duma, lower parliament chamber is scheduled to vote for Dmitry Medvedev as new Premier. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks as Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev looks on during a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Russia's parliament has approved Dmitry Medvedev as Prime Minister with a vote of 374-56. He will serve under Vladimir Putin, who began a fourth presidential term on Monday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and acting Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attend a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The State Duma, lower parliament chamber is scheduled to vote for Dmitry Medvedev as new Premier.(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, acting Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, left, and Russian State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin attend a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The State Duma, lower parliament chamber is scheduled to vote for Dmitry Medvedev as new Premier. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a meeting of the State Duma, parliament lower chamber, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8 2018. The State Duma, lower parliament chamber is scheduled to vote for Dmitry Medvedev as new Premier. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Acting Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev speaks as President Vladimir Putin, left, and Russian State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin talk, during a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The State Duma, lower parliament chamber is scheduled to vote for Dmitry Medvedev as new Premier. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Acting Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev speaks as President Vladimir Putin looks on during a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The State Duma, lower parliament chamber is scheduled to vote for Dmitry Medvedev as new Premier.(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking at a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Russia's house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved Dmitry Medvedev for a new term as prime minister. He will serve under Vladimir Putin, who began a fourth presidential term on Monday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Russian lawmakers vote to approve Dmitry Medvedev for a new term as prime minister at the State Duma, the Lower House of the Russian Parliament, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Russia's house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved Dmitry Medvedev for a new term as prime minister. He will serve under Vladimir Putin, who began a fourth presidential term on Monday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking during a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Russia's house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved Dmitry Medvedev for a new term as prime minister. He will serve under Vladimir Putin, who began a fourth presidential term on Monday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking during a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Russia's parliament has approved Dmitry Medvedev as Prime Minister with a vote of 374-56. He will serve under Vladimir Putin, who began a fourth presidential term on Monday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev prepare to leave after a meeting of the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Russia's house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved Dmitry Medvedev for a new term as prime minister. He will serve under Vladimir Putin, who began a fourth presidential term on Monday. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The Associated Press