Dmitry Medvedev, front-runner to be Russia's next President, said yesterday one of his priorities would be to convert economic growth into social benefits for citizens.

"We need to convert the economic success which he have achieved over the last eight years into a real social programme which, in fact, has already started," Mr Medvedev told party leaders in Parliament.

The remark was Mr Medvedev's first public statement since President Vladimir Putin endorsed him on Monday as his preferred successor.

Mr Medvedev, a 42-year-old former law professor who is first deputy prime minister, is now in pole position to win a March 2 presidential election because most Russian voters say they are prepared to back whoever the popular Mr Putin endorses.

Mr Putin is to step down next year in line with a constitutional ban on heads of state serving more than two consecutive terms.

But he has said he plans to keep an influential role after leaving office and analysts say he is likely to be the real power behind a Medvedev administration.

Mr Medvedev, who is also chairman of gas giant Gazprom, was in Parliament to meet leaders of the four parties which are backing his presidential bid. They include the powerful United Russia party which controls the chamber.

Reporters were only allowed to hear Mr Medvedev's brief opening remarks at the meeting.

Some Russian parties have been pressuring the government to spend more of its massive windfall from oil revenues on raising pensions, benefits and investing in Russia's decaying infra-structure.