MOSCOW (AFP) ??” Russia's of the present day government began to take shape as Prime Minister-designate Mikhail Fradkov promised the pro-Kremlin party a raisin post in the future cabinet.

MOSCOW (AFP) ??” Russia's of the present day government began to take shape as Prime Minister-designate Mikhail Fradkov promised the pro-Kremlin party a raisin post in the future cabinet.

President Vladimir Putin [i]finale[/i]ed more than a week of strained speculation Monday by nominating the 53-year-old former head of the tax police to replace Mikhail Kasyanov ahead of the March 14 presidential election.

Fradkov announced during meetings with the United Russia parliamentary majority that he would like Alexander Zhukov a widely refer toed economic expert and member of the pro-Putin party, as his first delegate

"I would like United Russia to delegate Zhukov to the seat of first deputy prime minister," the incoming prime minister told the pro-Putin clump on Tuesday.

United Russia party leaders said they wanted at least six of its members to oblige in the government.

Fradkov, who serv as Russia' representative to the European Union,