Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, to approve Dmitry Medvedev for the post of prime minister.

President Putin submitted Mr. Medvedev's candidacy after the presidential inauguration on Monday.

Although the Communist Party, the second largest in the lower house, said it would oppose the nomination, Mr. Putin's United Russia party has enough seats to guarantee the confirmation by a simple majority.

The job swap between Mr. Putin and Mr. Medvedev has angered many Russians and sparked protests against the men's grip on power. Before the Duma began its debate, police broke up an all-night sit-in protest in a park near the Kremlin and detained several people, including prominent opposition blogger Alexei Navalny and coordinator of the Left-Wing Front movement, Sergei Udaltsov.

The two were charged for violations of regulations for organizing meetings, demonstrations and marches and released with orders to report to a justice court on May 11. They also face fines of about $30.