MOSCOW, March 1st, 2004 (RIA Novosti correspondent) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding Kremlin consultations with the leadership of the parliamentary majority of the State Duma (lower house).
"We met on Wednesday (last week). We had an opportunity to work and think it over for five days. Now it is time to sum up the five-day considerations," the Russian president said in his opening remarks.
Earlier, the consultations were to be held on Sunday.
State Duma Vice Speaker Alexander Zhukov said that the president might name the new prime minister after the consultations.
Vladimir Putin signed a decree to dismiss the government on February 24th, appointing Viktor Khristenko acting Prime Minister. According to the same decree, the government is to continue performing its functions until the new cabinet is formed.
