Moscow, May 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Members of Russia's ruling United Russia party Saturday elected Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as its leader at a party congress.

In April, President Vladimir Putin announced he was stepping down from the helm of the party in favour of Medvedev.

Putin presided over United Russia from 2008-2012. Medvedev became a member May 22.

The 13th congress of the party in Moscow brought together 670 delegates and about 1,600 guests. Serbian President-elect Tomislav Nikolic and 30 foreign delegations attended the event.

On the eve of the congress, Medvedev proposed sweeping reforms within the party to make its work more efficient and transparent.

After the announcement of his election, Medvedev urged United Russia to retain majority in parliament.

I don't think that anyone present here will argue that in five years when the next election to the State Duma is held, United Russia must be at the top again and win the parliamentary majority, he said.

If the party wins the parliamentary election, State Duma speaker candidates could be selected on competitive basis, Medvedev said.

In the future parliamentary election, United Russia will again try to win the support of the majority of citizens. And if we resolve this task - which I don't doubt it will - it would be right to consider the issue of our candidates to the leadership in the State Duma, in particular the post of Duma chairman, in a democratic, open way, on an alternative basis, he said.

Medvedev said United Russia does not need a cleansing but should get rid of those members who discredit it.

The absolute majority of party members and people sympathizing with the party are honest and decent. But there is nothing extraordinary in the fact that some crooks are constantly trying to hang on, he said.

We must get rid without delay of those who discredit themselves and thus discredit the party and instead attract to party ranks as many new, sincere, creatively-thinking people with initiative as possible.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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