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Dmitry Medvedev to join United Russia Party on Tuesday

Later on Tuesday, several days ahead of the Party congress, the premier is to meet with senior United Russia officials

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, May 22 (Itar-Tass) — Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will become a member of the United Russia Party on Tuesday, leader of the United Russia faction at the State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament Andrei Vorobyov told reporters.

"Dmitry Medvedev has voiced such intentions," Vorobyov said, "indeed, he is joining United Russia, and he's expected to do it today.|

Later on Tuesday, several days ahead of the Party congress, the premier is to meet with senior United Russia officials.

In late April, President-elect Vladimir Putin said he would step down as Party chairman after taking office. He explained his decision that the president's job rules out any party membership.

He recommended Dmitry Medvedev to replace him. In unofficial conversations, United Russia members supported Medvedev candidacy. He is to be formally appointed chairman at the Party congress on May 26.

On that day, Putin will step down as United Russia chairman.

When accepting the offer to lead the Party, the incumbent prime minister expressed his wish to become a party member. "I've never been a Liberal by my beliefs. By my beliefs, I'm a person with conservative values," Medvedev said at a meeting with United Russia officials on April 27.

The Party functionary said immediately after the meeting that Medvedev might join the Party before its congress.

Secretary of the presidium of United Russia's General Council Sergei Neverov confirmed that Medvedev had applied for party membership.

The statement was forwarded to a United Russia office on Monday. "I believe it will be reviewed quickly," Neverov said.

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