MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin accepted on Tuesday an offer to become chairman of Russia's biggest party, a move that would entrench his influence after stepping down as Kremlin leader next month.
"I accept the invitation of the party. I am ready to takeon myself the additional responsibility and head the party,"Putin told delegates at a United Russia party conference inMoscow which was broadcast live by state television.
United Russia, which controls the Duma (lower house ofparliament), created the post of chairman this week speciallyfor Putin, who helped found the party.
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge, writing by Michael Stott,editing by Christian Lowe)
