Boris Yeltsin stunned Russia yesterday by announcing that he had resigned and elections will be held within 90 days to choose a new president to lead the nation in the new century.
Yeltsin said he was stepping down early because he wanted Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to succeed him as president.
Putin, the country's most popular politician, immediately took control of the government and will serve as acting president until the elections.
Looking pale and grim in a speech on national television, the 68-year-old Yeltsin said it was time for him to go. He asked Russians to forgive him for his mistakes and failing to realize their dreams after the fall of the Soviet Union.
``Today, on the last day of the outgoing century, I resign,'' said Yeltsin, speaking in front of a gaily decorated New Year's tree and a blue, red and white Russian flag.
``I am stepping down ahead of term. I understand that I must do it and Russia must enter the new millennium with new politicians, with new faces, with new intelligent, strong, energetic people, and we who have been in power for many years must go,'' Yeltsin said.
It was yet another unexpected move by Yeltsin, who has presided over Russia through eight tumultuous, often chaotic years.
His attempts to build a market economy were deeply flawed by corruption and incompetence, and he became widely disliked by most Russians.
The resignation appeared timed to capitalize on the success of pro-Kremlin, centrist parties in recent parliamentary elections. Parties backing Putin scored unexpectedly well, adding to the drive to put him into the Kremlin as Yeltsin's successor.
Under the Russian constitu-tion, presidential elections must be held within 90 days of the president's resignation.
The ITAR-Tass news agency said the presidential elections would be held around March 27.
Putin, with effective control of the government, including the state media, has a huge advantage in the race to succeed Yeltsin.
Yeltsin, who has been hit by corruption allegations in recent months, reportedly had been looking for assurances for the safety of himself and his family when he steps down. Putin as president would be able to give Yeltsin the immunity he reportedly wants.
Plagued for years by heart and other health problems, Yeltsin was often ill and out of sight during his second term.
He spent many weeks sidelined at his country residence outside Moscow and was largely seen as a caretaker president.
But Yeltsin continued to dominate Russian politics, despite his ill health. He easily defeated a Communist-led effort in May to impeach him and dismissed four prime ministers in the last two years.
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