Russian President Dmitry Medvedev who officially took the office on Wednesday has submitted to deputies of the State Duma lower house of parliament for consideration the candidature of Vladimir Putin for the post of the country’s new prime minister, the Kremlin press service told journalists according to Itar-Tass.
“Dmitry Medvedev has sent a letter to Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov in which, in accordance with the Constitution, proposed the candidature of Vladimir Putin for the post of prime minister,” the press service said.
State Duma officials have confirmed the fact that letter has been received.
Simultaneously Medvedev signed a decree “on the resignation of the government of the Russian Federation.” In accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation in connection with the resignation of the Russian government under Article 116 part five and Article 117 the president decreed “to instruct the Russian government to continue to act until the formation of a new government of the Russian Federation.” The decree enters into force on the day of signing.
The former government with Viktor Zubkov in the head on Wednesday resigned as the new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took office. The press service of the cabinet told Itar-Tass that Zubkov “signed this order in accordance with Article 116 of the Constitution and the federal constitutional law “on the government of the Russian Federation.”
Putin is expected to be approved by the State Duma in the capacity of the prime minister at an extraordinary plenary session of the house that will begin at noon on May 8.
Three of four Duma factions – United Russia, LDPR (Liberal Democratic) and Just Russia that have an overwhelming majority of seats in the lower house have voiced support to Putin’s candidature. The Communists (CPRF) faction are waiting so far wishing to have a conversation with the candidate first, to learn the programme of the government and clarify its position on certain issues.
At the same time Itar-Tass learnt that the approval of the candidature of Putin “may be held without the traditional consultations with the State Duma factions and passing through corridors, because the views of the outgoing president are so well-known that the consultations will turn into a formality.”
After the appointment to the new post the new chairman of the government within two weeks will submit to the head of state proposals on the structure of federal executive power bodies, as well as candidatures for posts of vice prime ministers and ministers.
Since 1990, Russia is replacing the ninth prime minister – Viktor Chernomyrdin worked in this capacity the longest – six years, and Sergei Stepashin’s term was the shortest – just three months. But it is for the first time in the new history that the prime minister is handing over his powers to a politician enjoying the population’s trust rating exceeding 80 percent.