Gryzlov becomes speaker of Russian parliament

The Russian Parliament, the State Duma, has opened for its first session since elections easily won by pro-Kremlin parties earlier this month. As widely expected, United Russia party leader, Boris Gryzlov, was elected speaker. President Vladimir Putin is constitutionally obliged to stand down after his second term as president ends in March next year.

He could become prime minister or take up another post but his critics say his party’s win will enable him to continue wielding great influence in politics – even if he is no longer in high office.

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