Russian prime minister and government resign after Putin speech
[MOSCOW] Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that his government was resigning to give President Vladimir Putin room to carry out the changes he wants to make to the constitution.
The unexpected announcement, which came shortly after Mr Putin proposed a nationwide vote on sweeping changes that would shift power from the presidency to parliament, means Russia will also get a new prime minister.
Possible candidates include Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, Maxim Oreshkin, the economy minister, or Alexander Novak, the energy minister.
Mr Medvedev made the announcement on state TV sitting next to Mr Putin who thanked Mr Medvedev, a close ally, for his work.
Mr Putin said that Mr Medvedev would take on a new job as deputy head of Russia's Security Council, which Mr Putin chairs.
Mr Putin asked for the outgoing government to remain at work until a new government was appointed.
REUTERS
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
US dollar briefly falls versus yen after GDP data
US weekly jobless claims unexpectedly fall
US economic growth slows more than expected in Q1
Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir facing anti-graft probe in a case involving his sons
BOE reports record usage of short-term liquidity repo
Philippines central bank not seeing rate hike despite peso weakness: finmin