Parliament, despite its hostility to Yeltsin, is expected to quickly approve Primakov even though he has little economic experience to face a nation impatient for a way out of its political and economic chaos.
The president's decision to put him at the head of a new government was well-received by most opposition politicians and had a calming effect on a country in turmoil.
Washington also welcomed the nomination, even though Primakov has been criticized in the West for his hard foreign policy line, including a willingness to compromise with Iraq and other regimes at odds with the West.
Primakov could be confirmed in parliament as early as today. He will need to quickly assemble a Cabinet to deal with the most severe economic crisis since the 1991 Soviet collapse.
''I think he will get (parliament's) support. Common sense has prevailed,'' said Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, who spearheaded the opposition to Yeltsin's previous candidate for premier, Viktor Chernomyrdin.
In a nationally televised address, Chernomyrdin said parliament's refusal to confirm him was part of a Communist plot to force Yeltsin to resign and seize power. ''It's a creeping coup,'' he said.
09-11-98
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