Russian PM resigns

Entire government goes as Putin pushes to extend his power

RUSSIAN Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced that the government is resigning.

The statement came shortly after President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual state-ofthe-nation address and announced a series of constitutional reforms.

Mr Putin quickly nominated Mikhail Mishustin – the long-serving head of Russia’s tax service, seen as a technocrat – to form a new government. Politicians are due to meet tomorrow to begin reviewing his candidacy.

Russian government sources told the BBC that ministers did not know about the government’s resignation ahead of the announcement.

“It was a complete surprise,” one source said.

In his address, Mr Putin suggested amending the constitution to allow politicians to name prime ministers and Cabinet members.

The authority to make those appointments currently belongs to Russia’s president.

“It will increase the role of parliament and parliamentary parties, powers and independence of the prime minister and all Cabinet members,” Mr Putin told an audience of top officials and politicians.

At the same time, Mr Putin argued that Russia would not remain stable if it were governed under a parliamentary system.

The president should retain the right to dismiss the prime minister and Cabinet ministers, to name top defence and security officials, and to be in charge of the military and law enforcement agencies, he said.

Mr Putin emphasised that constitutional changes must be put to a nationwide vote. They would be the first significant changes to the constitution since it was adopted in 1993.

Political analyst Kirill Rogov said Mr Putin’s proposals indicated his intention to remain in charge while redistributing powers between various branches of government.

“Such a model resembling the Chinese one would allow Putin to stay at the helm indefinitely while encouraging rivalry between potential successors,” Mr Rogov said.