Russian government resigns after Putin proposes reforms that would weaken his successor
Last edited Wed Jan 15, 2020, 11:21 AM - Edit history (1)
Source: CNN
Moscow, Russia (CNN)The entire Russian government is resigning, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced Wednesday, after President Vladimir Putin proposed sweeping reforms that would weaken his successor. Putin thanked members of the government for their work but added that "not everything worked out." Putin added that in the near future he would meet with each member of the cabinet. The mass resignation includes Medvedev.
The surprise announcement came after Putin proposed constitutional amendments that would strengthen the powers of the prime minister and parliament at the expense of the presidency. Handing parliament more power at the expense of presidential authority could signal a power shift that has been long speculated about in Russia.
Putin's critics have suggested that he is considering various scenarios to retain his grip on control after 2024, including the option of becoming prime minister with extended powers. Similarly, in 2008 Putin swapped places with the prime minister to circumvent the constitutional provision banning the same person from serving two consecutive terms.
In his statement, Medvedev indicated that the government was resigning to clear the way for Putin's proposed reforms. Putin "outlined a number of fundamental changes to the constitution, significant changes not only to a number of articles of the constitution, but also to the balance of power as a whole," Medvedev said in his statement, which was aired on Russian state television. "In this context, it's obvious that we, as the government ... should provide the president of our country with the opportunity to make all the decisions necessary for this. And in these conditions, I believe that it would be right, in accordance with Section 117 of the constitution," for the government to resign, Medvedev added.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/15/europe/russian-government-resigns-vladimir-putin-reforms-intl/index.html
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By Isabelle Khurshudyan
Jan. 15, 2020 at 9:03 a.m. EST
MOSCOW -- Russia's prime minister submitted his resignation Wednesday as part of a surprise government shake-up directed by President Vladimir Putin. Putin accepted the resignation of the prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, and asked the member's of Medvedev's Cabinet to remain in place until a new government is formed, the state-run Tass news agency reported.
The sweeping moves came shortly after Putin gave his annual address to Russia's lower house of parliament and proposed constitutual changes to boost the powers of prime ministers and Cabinet members.
"For my part, I also want to thank you for everything that was done at this stage of our joint work, I want to express satisfaction with the results that have been achieved," the president told a meeting with the cabinet of ministers. "Not everything was done, but everything never works out in full," Putin said.
Medvedev, a longtime Putin ally, served as Russia's prime minister since 2012. He spent four years before that as president in 2008-2012. Earlier, Putin proposed sweeping changes to the constitution Wednesday, including strengthening parliament and revamping the country's state council, possibly hinting at his plans for after he leaves power in 2024.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/putin-proposes-strengthening-parliament-even-while-keeping-his-own-powers-intact/2020/01/15/695eac6a-36e5-11ea-a1ff-c48c1d59a4a1_story.html
Original article -
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked members of the government for their work but added that "not everything worked out." Putin added that in the near future he will meet with each member of the cabinet. The announcement came after Putin proposed constitutional amendments that would weaken his successor and shift power to the prime minister and parliament.
Breaking news story, more to follow
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... he's just asking to be assassinated. Don't you think? It sure looks that way to me.
There must be something else going on in Russia, and we'll be the last to hear about it.
If he gets a lifetime appointment, he's asking to be assassinated.
Just sayin'
