(Adds Seleznyov quotes)
MOSCOW, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Russia's acting Prime Minister
Viktor Chernomyrdin said on Monday he would only announce his
new government after the State Duma lower house of parliament
had confirmed him in his post, Interfax news agency said.
"When I become premier then I will announce (the cabinet
line-up)," Interfax quoted him as saying. Earlier, Duma speaker
Gennady Seleznyov had said the Communist-dominated chamber
wanted Chernomyrdin to present his programme and the line-up of
the government before it would consider his candidacy.
President Boris Yeltsin asked the veteran Chernomyrdin to
form a new government on Sunday after sacking the four-month old
cabinet of Sergei Kiriyenko, citing the need for stability.
In a televised address on Monday, Yeltsin urged the Duma to
approve Chernomyrdin quickly as prime minister. But opposition
parties, including the Communists, are hoping to win concessions
including posts in any new cabinet.
Parliamentary chiefs have already said they have no plans to
debate Chernomyrdin's nomination this week.
Under the constitution, they have until late next Monday to
approve or reject Chernomyrdin, although Yeltsin can choose to
withdraw Chernomyrdin's candidacy and resubmit it later to give
deputies more time.
Duma speaker Seleznyov said that he had agreed with Yeltsin
in a telephone conversation to allow an extra few days.
"I said one week might not be enough for consultations and
asked the president to be prepared to resubmit his letter. The
president said he is ready to do that if it is requested,"
Seleznyov said.
If the Duma rejects Yeltsin's candidate or candidates for
prime minister three times in a row, the president automatically
dissolves the chamber and calls a fresh parliamentary election.
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