During a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on 10 December, the leaders of four Russian parties (United Russia, Russia of Justice, the Agrarian Party and the Civil Force) presented Dmitry Medvedev, first deputy prime minister of the Russian government, as their joint presidential candidate. Vladimir Putin endorsed him and stated that he trusted Medvedev fully. On the following day, Medvedev called on Putin to become prime minister after the presidential election, to ensure continuity of governance.
