Putin shocks Russian parliament with constitutional shake-up
● President proposed changes would keep him in power beyond 2024
President Vladimir Putin has engineered a surprise shakeup of Russia’s leadership, proposing changes to the constitution that could keep him in power well past the end of his term in 2024.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned his post after put in announced the proposed constitutional amendments. Mr Put in kept his long time ally in the Kremlin’ s leadership structure, appointing him to the newly created post of deputy head of the presidential Security Council.
The shakeup sent shock waves through Russia’s political elites who were left pondering what Mr Putin’s intenfriends,” tions were and speculating about future cabinet appointments.
Mr Putin’s proposed constitutional reforms, announced in a state of the nation address, indicated he was working to carve out a new governing position for himself after his term ends, although the suggested changes don’t immediately indicate what specific path he will take to stay in charge. The 67-year-old former KGB operative, who has led Russia for more than 20 years, often keeps his intentions secret until the very last moment.
Alexei Navalny, the most prominent Russian opposition leader, tweeted that Mr Putin’s speech clearly signaled his desire to continue calling the shots.
“The only goal of Putin and his regime is to stay in charge for life, having the entire country as his personal asset and seizing its riches for himself and his Mr Navalny said. The Kremlin later announced that Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin was nominated to replace Mr Medvedev, who has been prime minister for nearly eight years. Approval by the Duma is virtually certain.
After Mr Putin’s first two terms ended in 2008, Mr Medvedev served as a placeholder president for just one term, from 2008 to 2012 and appointed his mentor as prime minister, although Mr Putin continued to wield power. Under Mr Medvedev, the constitution was amended to lengthen the president’s term from four years to six, although it limits the leader to two consecutive terms.
Mr Medvedev said he needed to resign in light of Putin’s proposed changes in government.
Mr Putin suggested amending the constitution again to allow politicians to name prime ministers and cabinet members. The president currently holds the authority to make those appointments.
“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 lawmakers.
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 Russian military and law enforcement agencies, he said.
Mr Putin emphasised that constitutional changes must be put to a nationwide vote.
Mr Putin has been in power longer than any other Russian or Soviet leader since Josef Stalin, who led from 1924 until his death in 1953. Under the current law, Mr Putin must step down in 2024 after his term ends.
Observers speculated that Putin may stay in charge by shifting into the prime minister’s seat after increasing the powers of parliament and the Cabinet and trimming presidential authority.
Political analyst Dmitry Oreshkin said Putin’s speech made it clear he was pondering the move to premiership.
“Putin is advancing the idea of keeping his authority as a more powerful and influential prime minister while the presidency will become more decorative,” Mr Oreshkin said.