The government of Russia, from the Prime Minster on down, has just resigned.
Dmitry Medvedev, the country’s Prime Minister, announced Wednesday that the people in power were hanging it up after President Putin proposed major changes to the country’s constitution that would give more power to the Prime Minister.
This is notable due to the fact that Putin is not permitted to run for president after 2024, but by granting more powers to the Prime Minister, a position that has no term limits, he could potentially make himself the ruler for life.
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.
“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.
Putin’s key proposal is to transfer the power to select the prime minister and cabinet from the president to the parliament.
“I know that a constitutional provision is being discussed in our society that the same person should not be president for more than two consecutive terms,” Putin said. “I don’t think this is a fundamental issue, but I agree with that,” he said.
“I propose … entrusting the State Duma with the power to approve the candidacy of the prime minister, and then, per the prime minister’s proposal, [appoint] all deputy prime ministers and federal ministers,” Putin said. “In this case, the president will be obliged to appoint them, that is, he will not have the right to reject parliament-approved candidacies.”
In a statement, President Putin said that current members of government will still be expected to carry out their duties until a new government is formed.
“I want to express satisfaction with the results that have been achieved,” Putin said. “Of course not everything worked out, but nothing ever works out in full.”
Russian lawyer and political activist Alexei Navalny voiced his displeasure with the government’s decision to resign, calling the move nothing more than a power grab.
“The main result of Putin’s message: what kind of boobies (and / or crooks) are all those who said that Putin would leave in 2024,” he tweeted. “Remaining the sole leader for life, taking ownership of an entire country, and appropriating wealth to himself and his friends is the only goal of Putin and his regime.”
“The shortlist of candidates for the new prime minister of Russia includes: two Putin security guards, Putin’s massage therapist, Putin’s gardener and driver Alina Kabaeva,” he said in another tweet.
This “transition of power” was to be expected by Putin, who, as previously stated, cannot run for president in 2024 when his term is up. By changing the constitution giving more power to the Prime Minister (a position chosen by the legislative branch) Putin will ensure that he remains in charge of Russia’s government.
Conservative Daily Update 