Putin’s power play
Russian government resigns as he announces shock plan that could see him in charge for life
VLADIMIR Putin paved the way to rule Russia for as long as he wants yesterday in a move that saw his entire government resign.
Mr Putin is bound by law to step down as president when his current term ends in 2024.
But the former KGB agent used his State of the Nation address to announce sweeping constitutional changes that could extend his decades-long grip on power.
Yesterday’s shock announcement led to prime minister Dmitry Medvedev and his cabinet resigning, saying it was to enable Putin ‘to make all decisions’.
Alexei Navalny, the most prominent Russian opposition leader, said the president’s speech clearly signalled his desire to remain in power until he dies.
He tweeted: ‘The only goal of Putin and his regime is to stay in charge for life, having the country as his personal asset and seizing its riches for himself and his friends.’
Last night British government sources questioned the president’s timing.
They suggested he wanted to cement his grip as leader because he fears the rise of popular movements sweeping the world.
He has already put the country’s economy on a war footing after sanctions imposed by the US and europe started to bite.
Putin has also faced major protests over the treatment of political rivals.
The amendments being proposed do not enable Putin to stay on as president. But options could include him taking on the role of prime minister, chairman of parliament or even the State Council, a key advisory body which will now receive a boost in its power.
If the plans are approved, power would be transferred from the presidency to parliament. The last time he reached the end of his tenure as president in 2008, he swapped places with prime minister Mr Medvedev – only to revert back four years later.
Since then, Medvedev, 54, has governed with diminishing powers and authority.
He has been shunted to the post of deputy head at the National Security Council, which is chaired by Putin.
The president has nominated Mikhail Mishustin, head of Russia’s tax services, to replace Medvedev.
His name was largely unknown around the Kremlin prior to his appointment.
He is viewed as a temporary appointment until Putin secures a more powerful position before 2024.
The president said in his address: ‘Today in our society there is a clear demand for change. People want development, they are striving to move forward in their careers, their education, in becoming prosperous.’ He added the reforms would be put to a national vote – but did not say when.
Putin told top officials: ‘It will increase the role of parliament and parliamentary parties, powers and independence of the prime minister and all Cabinet members.’
At the same time, Putin argued that Russia would not remain stable if it were governed under a parliamentary system.
Mr Medvedev later said: ‘These changes, when they are adopted... will introduce substantial changes not only to an entire range of articles of the constitution, but also to the entire balance of power, the power of the executive, the power of the legislature, the power of judiciary.
‘In this context... the government in its current form has resigned.’
Putin, 67, has been in power longer than any other Russian or Soviet leader since Joseph Stalin, who ruled the nation from 1924 until his death in 1953.
He has governed with a firm grip since coming to power following Boris Yeltsin’s resignation in 1999.
Political analyst Dmitry Oreshkin said the speech made it clear Putin was pondering the move to premiership.
He said: ‘He is advancing the idea of keeping his authority as a more powerful and influential prime minister while the presidency will become more decorative.’
‘He swapped places with PM, then went back’