Moscow - Vladimir Putin was to be confirmed prime minister Thursday in a move that underscored his continued power one day after passing the Kremlin to his protege Dmitry Medvedev.

As Medvedev and Putin arrived together at the parliament on Thursday, the realignment of power over less than 24 hours, which effectively splits Russia's leadership, left doubts over who would really rule.

Medvedev recommended his long-time mentor Putin for the parliamentary vote by promising to work in "tandem" with him toward the realization of Putin's policies.

"Nobody has a doubt that our tandem will become stronger," Medvedev said. "We have long worked together and will continue to work together ... The parliament will play a key role in [strategy] realization," he promised.

Putin was to address lawmakers in a 20-minute speech and stand for questions from both parliamentary factions. The vote on his nomination was expected to take place at 2 pm (1100 GMT).

He was virtually guaranteed to secure the vote as head of Russia's dominant party United Russia, which holds a two-thirds majority, or enough to pass constitutional changes.

The Communist Party, the only opposition faction in parliament, had the only 57 out of 450 Duma seats likely to reject Putin's nomination.

Putin has said he will not alter the current division of power between the Kremlin and Russian White House, and has indicated he will rule in informal partnership with Medvedev.

But many believe Putin, stepping down at the height of his power and popularity after eight years, will hold more power than Medvedev, an unprecedented situation in Russia where authority has traditionally been concentrated in the Kremlin. (dpa)