The leader of Russia’s lower house of Parliament says the dominant United Russia political party will nominate Vladimir Putin as its leader, a role that would further bolster Putin’s influence after he steps down from the presidency next month. Putin has said he will become prime minister after his successor, Dmitri Medvedev, is sworn in on May 7, but leadership of the pro-Kremlin United Russia party would effectively give him control of Parliament, where the party has a large majority. Full Story