The list of Russia's new Cabinet has just been approved by Mr. Putin
Russian President Putin on January 21 approved the list of members of the new government, which he said was a major breakthrough.
The roster includes some new faces but retains many senior ministerial positions. The new government includes a new Economy Minister and a new First Deputy Prime Minister, but the Finance, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Energy and Agriculture Ministers remain in their positions.
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| Russian President Putin. Photo: AFP |
The new government was formed less than a week after Mr Putin unveiled plans to drastically change the political system, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the entire government. In a surprise move, Mr Putin chose Mikhail Mishustin, 53, the head of the tax agency, to be the next prime minister.
The changes to the government, which are expected to entail constitutional changes, are seen as laying the groundwork for Mr Putin, now 67, to retire from politics in 2024. The veteran leader has held the key positions of president and prime minister of Russia for two decades.
Critics have said that President Putin, a former KGB officer, wants to stay in power after his term ends. However, in comments last week, he dismissed the idea of being president for life.
The new appointments on January 21 are seen as a way to bolster the government's image and shift attention to President Putin's efforts to raise incomes for citizens and push through major national infrastructure projects that he hopes will bring Russia into a new economic union.
“The most important task is to increase the well-being of our people and strengthen the country’s power, strengthening our positions in the international arena. These are absolutely achievable goals,” Mr. Putin told the new government.
“We have a very balanced government. We have enough members who worked in the previous government as well as a renewal,” the Russian leader added.
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Energy Minister Alexander Novak, Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov retained their posts. President Putin appointed Andrei Belousov, his economic adviser since 2013, as First Deputy Prime Minister, replacing Anton Siluanov, who had held the role since May 2018.
Mr Putin also approved former Perm region governor Maxim Reshetnikov, 40, as the new economy minister, replacing Maxim Oreshkin, who had held the post for more than three years. Mr Reshetnikov previously worked in the Moscow mayor's office.
Mr. Putin also replaced the Minister of Telecommunications. He appointed Maksut Shadaev, currently Vice President of the state telecommunications corporation Rostelecom, to this position./.