‘Medvedev’s resignation is a boon, especially in the light of the address’
Reaction to the president’s address in Russia and government’s resignation
After the president’s address to the Federal Assembly, longest-ruling Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced the resignation of the government in full. The Russian premier indicated a number of changes outlined by Vladimir Putin in the Constitution and “the balance of power in general”, therefore he called the decision to resign “correct” in these conditions. Putin thanked members of the government for joint work, “though not all worked”. Most of the governors, government members, deputies, political experts, economists, entrepreneurs and public activists surveyed by Realnoe Vremya agree with the Russian leader’s opinion that it is time for changes in the country and there is no sense in making them with the old government.
After announcing the resignation of the government, Vladimir Putin thanked members of the Cabinet of Ministers for their job and promised to meet each of them soon. At the moment he asked them to perform their duties to the full. The head of the country also claimed an intention to introduce a post of the vice chairman of the Security Council and offer it to Dmitry Medvedev.
In his address to the Federal Assembly, Putin offered to task the State Duma with not only agreeing but also approving the candidacy of the prime minister, which will seriously change the political system and make the interaction between representative and executive power more efficient.