Russian government resigns after Putin speech

RUSSIAN news agencies reported yesterday that Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev submitted his resignation to President Vladimir Putin. Medvedev said that his government was resigning to give President Putin room to carry out the changes he wants to make to the constitution. Russian agencies said Putin thanked Medvedev for his service but noted that his Cabinet failed to fulfill all the objectives set for it.

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin proposed a constitutional overhaul yesterday to boost the powers of parliament and the Cabinet, a move signaling Putin’s intention to carve out a new position for himself after his current term ends.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev submitted his resignation hours after Putin discussed the constitutional amendments during his state of the nation address. The Russian leader thanked Medvedev for his service but said the prime minister’s Cabinet had failed to fulfill all of its objectives. In televised remarks, Putin said Medvedev would take up a new position as a deputy head of the presidential Security Council. Putin asked for the outgoing government to remain at work until a new government was appointed. Medvedev’s resignation followed Putin’s annual state of the nation address earlier Wednesday. During his speech, the Russian leader proposed amending the constitution to increase the powers of prime ministers and Cabinet members. The proposed move is seen as part of Putin’s efforts to carve out a new position of power for himself to stay at the helm after his current term as president ends in 2024.

Russia’s political elites have been abuzz with speculation about his future plans. The 67-yearold Putin has remained at the helm for more than 20 years — longer than any other Russian or Soviet leader since Josef Stalin. He will have to step down after his term ends under the current law, which limits the president to two consecutive terms.