Vladimir Putin confirmed on Monday that the Putin era would continue even after he stepped down as Russian president next year, accepting an offer to serve as prime minister under the man poised to succeed him.

The announcement ends the puzzle over the Russian succession, with the country set to be ruled by a partnership of Dmitry Medvedev, the young protégé Mr Putin anointed as his successor last week, and Mr Putin himself. But it leaves significant questions over how that tandem will work, in a country that has historically favoured strong rule by a single leader over the potential instabilities of a two-headed structure.