Russia has experienced a major reshuffle, with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s second cabinet stepping down and leaving room for the new PM Mikhail Mishustin.
Political experts say that the move is part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy to stay in power for more years. The president proposed constitutional changes on Wednesday that would give him the right to extend his influence after leaving the presidency. Putin wants to reduce the powers of the president and transfer the levers to the prime minister. This will allow him to influence politics even after he will no longer be president.
Putin suggested that his proposals should be put to a national poll. If the referendum supports his changes, he will be able to choose between an enhanced role as prime minister or head of the State Council after his mandate expires in 2024. The latter is an official body that Putin plans to build up.
Opposition politician Leonid Volkov commented the president’s move:
“It's clear to
everyone that everything is going exclusively towards setting Putin up to rule
for life.”
Medvedev's resignation surprised Russian markets. The stock market and the national currency experienced significant losses before bouncing back.