Medvedev becomes Russia's new PM

 　　MOSCOW, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Russia's new President Vladimir Putin endorsed¹ on Tuesday Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister, within an hour of parliament's approval of Putin's nominee².

　　Medvedev will have a week to submit to the president the composition of a new government, as well as candidates for the posts of deputy prime ministers and federal ministers.

　　Needing a majority support in the 450-seat State Duma, or lower house of parliament, the former president was approved 299-144. He was backed by two of the four State Duma factions³, the United Russia and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia. Communists and A Just Russia lawmakers voted against the nomination⁴.

　　Medvedev becomes the second person after Putin in the history of the Russian Federation⁵ to serve as prime minister after having been president.

　　During his address to the State Duma, the former president outlined the new government's vision on the economy and the society.

　　BOOST THE ECONOMY

　　As a nominee for the prime minister, Medvedev had pledged to limit the federal budget deficit⁶ to 1 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) if elected.

　　He also claimed to reduce the energy intensity⁷ of GDP by 40 percent from the 2008 level, adding that "large-scale work has begun to raise energy efficiency" in the economy.

　　Medvedev also proposed that capital investment in the national economy should account for 25 to 27 percent of GDP.

　　"It is our task to increase the share of investment to 25 percent of GDP," said the new prime minister, adding "then it could be even raised to 27 percent" with a significant increase in foreign investment.

　　He noted⁸ that there is still room for improving business climate in Russia, despite progress in some areas.

　　"We are behind the leading world players in the state of competition and administrative⁹, infrastructure¹⁰, customs, and tax barriers," he said.

　　Meanwhile, Medvedev was opposed to the proposal of postponing¹¹ Russia's ratification¹² of its accession agreement with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

　　"I think the timeframe will be quite sufficient, because it's five years, and maybe even more, to enable us to get ready properly," he said.

　　The new head of the government also suggested tax reform to reduce tax burden, innovation of enterprises to boost the country' s economy.

　　IMPROVE PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOOD¹³

　　Addressing the State Duma, Medvedev vowed¹⁴ to improve people's livelihood in the next six years.

　　An average lifespan in Russia should reach 75 years by 2018, he said, adding the quality of life should "reach the middle class level."

　　The new government will also pay more attention to education. According to Medvedev, some 5 trillion rubles (167.8 billion U.S. dollars) will be injected in education in the next eight years.

　　The government will make a decision on the pensionable age in the new term, guided by a public consensus¹⁵.

　　"We are quite capable of making decisions that will not upset our citizens or unbalance the pension system," he said, when answering lawmakers' questions relating to his nomination.

　　On housing, the new prime minister said up to 30 million people will have better homes before 2015.

　　"There is a bill extending the resettlement program until 2015, which will require additional allocations of no less than 400 billion rubles (13.4 billion dollars) from budgets of all levels," he said.

　　Medvedev also noted that the living standard in Siberia and Far East must be upgraded.

　　"People in Siberia and the Far Eas need living standard close to the European ones, instead of simple salaries and bonuses," he said.

　　OPEN GOVERNMENT

　　Medvedev intended to build an open government in the upcoming six years as Russia's prime minister.

　　"I will be open to discussions with all political groups," he said, adding "I see this as my political duty."

　　Despite various views from different political groups, the future government would work together with everyone for one reason -- all of them want Russia to be prosperous, Medvedev said.

　　He also called on citizens to take part in the process of deciding the country's future.

　　"We really need to give the community of active citizens and experts a chance to participate in forging crucial state decisions, " he said.

　　Meanwhile, Medvedev said the work of the government must meet the interests of all citizens in Russia.

1 endorsed   

vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品

参考例句：

• The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger. 委员会通过了主席提出的新方案，开始就可能进行的并购进行讨论。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The government has broadly endorsed a research paper proposing new educational targets for 14-year-olds. 政府基本上支持建议对14 岁少年实行新教育目标的研究报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

3 factions   

组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The gens also lives on in the "factions." 氏族此外还继续存在于“factions〔“帮”〕中。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源
• rival factions within the administration 政府中的对立派别

4 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

5 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

6 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

7 intensity   

n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度

参考例句：

• I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
• The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 administrative   

adj.行政的，管理的

参考例句：

• The administrative burden must be lifted from local government.必须解除地方政府的行政负担。
• He regarded all these administrative details as beneath his notice.他认为行政管理上的这些琐事都不值一顾。

10 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

11 postponing   

v.延期，推迟( postpone的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He tried to gain time by postponing his decision. 他想以迟迟不作决定的手段来争取时间。 来自辞典例句
• I don't hold with the idea of postponing further discussion of the matter. 我不赞成推迟进一步讨论这件事的想法。 来自辞典例句

12 ratification   

n.批准，认可

参考例句：

• The treaty is awaiting ratification.条约正等待批准。
• The treaty is subject to ratification.此条约经批准后才能生效。

13 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。

14 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

15 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？