Home » World News »
Russia PM RESIGNS: Medvedev quits along with his government in major announcement
Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced that his government has submitted its resignation. Medvedev made the announcement on state TV, TASS. Medvedev said the decision was to allow Mr Putin to make key constitutional changes.
The Russian President thanked Medvedev, a close ally, for his work following the resignation.
Mr Medvedev, a long-time close associate of Mr Putin’s, has served as Russia’s prime minister since 2012.
The move came after Vladimir Putin earlier proposed a flurry of constitutional changes in what could be seen to be an attempt to pave the way for him to stay on after his presidential term expires in 2024.
President Putin’s fourth term in office is due to end in 2024, and under the existing constitution, he would not be entitled to another term.
Mr Medvedev told the Tass news agency that the constitutional changes proposed by President Putin would 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”.
The decision from the Russian government will see all ministers stepping down, pending reappointment.
Putin has also asked ministers to continue working in their current roles until a new government is formed, according to Reuters.
Local reports suggest the post of deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council has been introduced and offered to Medvedev.
Putin is the chairman of the Security Council, and it includes 11 permanent members.
Emerging local reports suggest cabinet ministers were not informed about the imminent resignation of the government.
DON’T MISS:
Which countries could support Iran? Is Russia an ally [INSIGHT]
Turkey to go head to head with Russia [WARNING]
China and Russia will aid Tehran’s retaliation on Trump [LATEST]
Commenting on the resignation of Medvedev and the Russian government, Adeline Van Houtte, Europe Analyst at The Economist Intelligence Unit, said the move would allow “Putin to be able to choose loyalists that he will put in power positions in his new government”.
Adeline Van Houtte said: “The Russian government has resigned following an unexpected speech by the head of state Vladimir Putin announcing constitutional reforms, which would increase the powers of the Prime Minister and cabinet members in Russia.
“This will fuel speculations ahead of 2024 (the end of Putin’s second consecutive term).
“Putin will now be able to choose loyalists that he will put in power positions in his new government while he might be preparing to transition to a Prime Minister position with enlarged powers in 2024.”
This is a breaking story…more to follow
Source: Read Full Article