Putin Takes Over Russia's Main Political Party

MOSCOW — President Putin took over as head of Russia's main political party yesterday, moving to shore up his continued power after he leaves office next month. As head of the United Russia party, Mr. Putin will hold sway over Parliament through the party's controlling majority. That means the former KGB officer and popular political leader, who is also expected to be appointed prime minister, will be able to engineer constitutional amendments or begin impeachment proceedings.