The entire Russian government resigned Wednesday, hours after President Vladimir Putin announced major constitutional reforms that will keep him in power beyond the end of his current term as president, according to the state news agency Tass. The news agency cited Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who also stepped down.
The cabinet shakeup and constitutional amendments assure Putin of a new position of power when his current term ends in 2024.
Putin announced the proposed constitutional revisions Wednesday in his annual state of the nation address.
Medvedev and his ministers resigned almost immediately after the speech to clear the way for Putin to freely amend the constitution, reports said.
Although Medvedev resigned, he will later be installed as deputy of the presidential security council, Russian media reported.
Mikhail Mishustin, 53, who has been the head of the Federal Tax Service in Russia since 2010, was announced as the country’s new prime minister, according to Russian state media.
Russian state TV broadcast Medvedev's announcement, showing Putin and the former prime minister seated together. Afterward, Putin thanked Medvedev for his service.
Putin’s constitutional revisions seek to limit the power of his successor after he eventually steps down, meaning Putin could reemerge in a strengthened role as Russia’s prime minister or in the government’s State Council, reports said.
The changes include measures to allow the parliament greater say in approving the prime minister and Cabinet officials, according to Bloomberg News. The State Council, now a largely ceremonial body, would get more clearly defined powers written into the constitution.
“These are very serious changes to the political system,” Putin said in his address. “It would increase the role and significance of the country's Parliament ... of parliamentary parties, and the independence and responsibility of the prime minister.”
According to the current constitution, Putin is required to step down in 2024 after serving consecutive terms as president.
The current Russian constitution doesn't allow the same person to serve more than two consecutive terms as president, but under Putin's revamped constitution two nonconsecutive terms would be allowed, according the reports.
Putin had used that loophole to return to the presidency in 2012 after serving as prime minister, allowing him to serve a total of four presidential terms, Bloomberg News reported.
The reworking of the constitution will be subject to a nationwide vote before being approved, Putin said in his national address.
Medvedev has long been one of Putin's most trusted government allies.
He served as Russia’s prime minister since 2012 and spent four years as president from 2008 to 2012.
Putin ordered the members of Medvedev’s cabinet to remain in their current roles until a new Cabinet can be formed.
On Twitter, Russian dissident activist Alexei Navalny accused Putin of corruption.
“The main point of Putin’s message: what kind of idiots (and/or crooks) are all those who said Putin will leave in 2024,” he wrote. “Remaining a life-long only leader, taking ownership of the entire country, appropriating its wealth for himself and his friends — that is the only goal of Putin and his regime."
— This is a developing story. Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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