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Russia appoints new PM a day after entire government resigns
This appeared in The Millennial Source.
Russian economist and politician Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin has been elected as the country’s new prime minister, a day after the entire government resigned on January 15.
Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, confirmed Mishustin’s new role on January 16 amid a major political shakeup. Mishustin served as the head of the Russian Federal Taxation Service (FTS), where he led the reformation of the country’s fiscal system.
Putin’s reshuffling history
The entire Russian government resigned after President Vladimir Putin proposed a government reform that could extend his power for decades to come. Putin promptly accepted former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s resignation, as he suggested Mishustin as head of state to parliament.
Analysts claim that Putin is making an effort to avoid legal obstacles that could impede his ability to retain power after his term ends in 2024. In 2008, Putin reportedly swapped places with the prime minister to get around the constitutional provision banning the same person from serving two consecutive terms.
