Russian President Vladimir Putin rewrote the rules for Russia's closely watched presidential succession on Friday, naming his new prime minister as one of a handful of people with a fighting chance of replacing him in the Kremlin next spring.

Putin anointed Viktor Zubkov as a strong candidate hours after the country's parliament approved his nomination as prime minister. Zubkov's lightning-fast ascent from obscurity is seen as part of the Russian leader's plan to maintain tight control during a bruising election season and keep a hand on Russia's reins after he steps down.

Viktor Zubkov was confirmed as prime minister by the Russian parliament Friday.
(Mikhail Metzel/Associated Press)

"A year, a year and a half ago, people were saying that we have an empty field and there's nobody to choose from. Now they name a minimum of five people who can realistically aspire to be elected president of Russia in March 2008," Putin said in televised remarks at his residence in the resort city of Sochi.

"If another realistic candidate emerges, then Russian citizens will be able to choose among several people," he said. And Putin said Zubkov "said the right thing" when he told journalists a day earlier that he would not rule out a presidential bid if he does a good job as prime minister.

The president stopped short of endorsing Zubkov over any other potential successor. But he mentioned nobody else by name, and praised the new prime minister at length as a hard-working, honest man who has done productive work throughout a diverse career. He called him a "real professional, a brilliant administrator."

The remarks put Putin's stamp of approval on Zubkov, vaulting him to a prominent position in a race that had been dominated by two government officials who have been groomed for the role for over a year, Sergei Ivanov and Dmitry Medvedev.

Parliament approves Zubkov

Putin muddied the waters Wednesday when he dismissed Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and nominated Zubkov, a Soviet-era state farm director and Communist party official who has kept a low profile in six years heading Russia's anti-money-laundering agency.

Loyal legislators quickly fell into lockstep, lavishing Zubkov with praise after the nomination was announced. The State Duma, the 450-seat lower house dominated by the Kremlin-controlled United Russia party, confirmed Zubkov on Friday in a 381-47 vote.

Putin, who is barred from seeking a third straight term as president, had been expected to replace Fradkov with a more prominent figure, most likely Ivanov, a former defence minister, who would then have been tapped to run as the chosen successor.

Putin's popularity, combined with the tight control he has established over the broadcast media and the political landscape, mean that a candidate with his support would be likely to win easily.

Amid the praise, he made it clear that Zubkov should take nothing for granted.

"He still needs to work," Putin said with a wry smile.

The surprise nomination and tantalizing comments were par for the course for Putin, who has kept Russia and the world guessing about his plans. He has said he will step down as scheduled following the March vote, but has indicated he will retain influence afterward and has not ruled out a return to the presidency in 2012.

Analysts said Zubkov is key to those plans.

Head of financial intelligence agency

Much older than both Ivanov and Medvedev and loyal to Putin, he could serve as a figurehead president while the real power would belong to Putin, either as a strong prime minister or pulling the strings from the shadows.

And Zubkov would not stand in the way of a Putin comeback in 2012 or even sooner.

"If Zubkov is told that it's time for him to step down, he will immediately do that," political analyst Dmitry Oreshkin said. "He will do what he's told to do."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, background left, visit the village of Tavrovo in the western Belgorod region on Thursday.
(Vladimir Rodionov/Associated Press)

Zubkov has been the longtime head of the Federal Financial Monitor Service, known as Russia's financial intelligence agency. Analysts say Zubkov's experience could help Putin keep control of financial flows to parties and interest groups amid election campaigns.

Addressing lawmakers before the vote, Zubkov said he would implement policies voiced by Putin — seeking to ensure economic and social stability and modernize the economy, while also working to boost the defence industry and Russia's struggling farms.

He said the government should work more effectively, and suggested that some unpopular cabinet ministers could be dismissed.