World | Vladimir Putin Putin Slides Easily to PM Slot Unsurprising vote keeps Russia's power in hands of former president By Matt Cantor Posted May 8, 2008 12:20 PM CDT Copied Former Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with President Dmitry Medevdev in the State Duma, Lower parliament house, in Moscow, Thursday, May 8, 2008. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Pool) After 26 hours out of office, Vladimir Putin was confirmed today as Russia's prime minister, the New York Times reports. Receiving 392 of 410 votes from the lower house of Russia’s parliament, the former president took the stage for a long speech on his plans for the nation—confirming his position ahead of new president Dmitry Medvedev atop Russian politics. Read These Next Bodies found at lifetime felon's former home. The Amazon-USPS partnership could soon be coming to a close. Gene Simmons says Congress has to fix the radio business model. Pamela Anderson would rather not be known as Pamela Anderson. Report an error