Moscow  - Vladimir Putin in his new capacity as prime minister proposed cabinet names to his successor President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday, Russian news agencies reported.

"The necessary documents were prepared as per our negotiations ... as we discussed long ago there are some new names," news agency Interfax quoted Putin as saying in a meeting at the Kremlin.

Putin and Medvedev are expected to meet with cabinet ministers at 1430 (1030 GMT), after which the names may be announced.

Analysts will be scrutinizing the list as the latest clue in how power will be divided between the powerful and popular Putin and his long-time protege Medvedev.

Under Russia's constitution, the president is in charge of naming the government and so Putin's proposals Monday have the weight only of suggestions.

Putin, Medvedev's only candidate for the post of premier, was overwhelmingly confirmed by 392 to 56 parliamentary votes on Thursday.

Medvedev recommended Putin to delegates by vowing his relationship with Putin would only grow stronger and the two would govern in "tandem." (dpa)