Russia's heir apparent Medvedev puts up Web site

By Chris Baldwin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Dmitry Medvedev, named by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month as his favored successor, launched his personal Internet site on Wednesday.

In links on the homepage of www.medvedev2008.ru, the current first Deputy Prime Minister lists his major speeches, campaign team, news and a gallery of photographs showing the 42-year-old in action on the campaign trail.

His campaign program on the Web site is a copy of a January 22 speech in which he promised stability and continuity and promised to stay true to his mentor Putin's policies.

A full program is expected after official campaigning begins on Feb 2.

Photographs on the Web site show Medvedev standing behind Putin, leaning in to listen as Putin speaks across a dinner table, walking without a necktie next to Putin and standing alone while petting a bunny rabbit.

Russia votes to replace Putin, constitutionally prohibited from seeking a third term, on March 2. Medvedev leads in all polls by an overwhelming majority and is expected to win outright in the first round.

"I'm glad to welcome you to my site. Here you will find materials I consider important. I hope they help you get a sense of my views," the presidential candidate writes.

State-owned pollster VTsIOM on Thursday predicted Medvedev will receive more than 70 per cent of the vote. His nearest opponent, Communist Gennady Zyuganov, comes in with 12.8.

For more on Russia's presidential election, please see our blog "Operation Successor" at blogs.reuters.com/russia.

(Reporting by Chris Baldwin, editing by Giles Elgood)