Putin's Ultra-Loyal Ally Gryzlov Resigns as Russian Duma Speaker

Russian President and leader of United Russia party`s list Dmitry Medvedev (R) and Chairman of the State Duma Boris Gryzlov (L) attend the United Russia`s list registration ceremony at the Central Election Commission in Moscow, Russia, 18 October 2011. EP

Boris Gryzlov, the Speaker of the Russian Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament has resigned his post.

"Today I made a decision to give up my mandate," Gryzlov said in a statement on Wednesday, as cited by RIA Novosti, which describes him as an ultra-loyal supporter of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The 60-year-old Gryzlov added, however, that even though he would not take a seat in the new State Duma, he would stay on as chairman of the Supreme Council of the ruling United Russia party.

"I am ready to work wherever the president tells me to," he said.

The party struggled to hang onto its parliamentary majority in the December 4 parliamentary election, despite widespread allegations of fraud.

The new speaker will be chosen before December 21, Yury Shuvalov, United Russia party's vice chairman, told RIA Novosti.

He said that it would most likely be a United Russia MP. The new Duma will discuss candidacies at its first session on December 21.

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