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Bhutto's Party Nominates New Prime Minister

Posted Mar 22, 08 3:22 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – The party of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto named Yusuf Raza Gillani as its pick for prime minister of Pakistan today, the BBC reports. He is virtually guaranteed to be voted in Tuesday but won’t be PM for long, analysts say. The ex-speaker is expected to step down as soon as Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower, is eligible for the job.

Bhutto’s son was expected to announce the nominee, but the party said its teenage heir-apparent felt ill today—leading some to speculate about political wrangling within the party. Gillani gets the nod over Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who some feared was too close to President Musharraf. Gillani has no such problem: He once went to jail rather than strike a deal with Musharraf.

Source BBC

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Yusuf Raza Gillani and late PPP leader Benazir Bhutto wave to the crowd in this October 18, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Newly elected lawmaker Yousuf Raza Gillani, center, arrives at Parliament House to attend the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Yousaf Raza Gillani, a member of Pakistan People's party and a possible candidate to become Pakistan's next prime minister, arrives at Parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. Pakistan's...   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
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Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Nawaz Sharif • Pakistan People's Party • Asif Ali Zardari • Bilawal Bhutto Zardari • Yusuf Raza Gillani


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