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The Reshuffling of the Russian Government Post – Putin Inauguration

Photo: Reuters/Russian Prime-Minister

The Russian political system underwent its constitutionally mandated reshuffle as President Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a new term at the helm of the Kremlin. In line with the nation’s constitutional order, the Mișustin cabinet resigned, paving the way for a new government structure to be established, a process that intertwines the roles of the President and the State Duma in a delicate balance of power. The resignation of the government is a formal procedure triggered by Article 117 of the Russian Constitution, which states that the Government of the Russian Federation must tender its resignation to the President following the inauguration of a new president. This process underscores the checks and balances within the Russian political framework, despite the centralized power dynamics often associated with Putin’s tenure. Following his inauguration, President Putin wasted no time in proposing a candidate for the position of Prime Minister to the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament. In a move signaling continuity, the President nominated Mikhail Mishustin, the same figure who had led the previous cabinet. This proposal was confirmed by Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma.

Mikhail Mishustin, a technocrat known for his role in modernizing Russia’s tax collection system, initially took office as Prime Minister in January 2020. His re-nomination suggests a desire for stability and continued policy direction within the top echelons of Russian governance.
The reappointment of Mishustin, while indicative of the President’s preference, is not without its procedural requirements. According to Article 111 of the Constitution, the State Duma must consider the President’s nominee for Prime Minister. The Duma’s consent is necessary for the candidate to be confirmed in the role, with a majority vote required for approval. This process is typically viewed as a formality, given the pro-Kremlin majority in the Duma.
The Russian Constitution also empowers the President with a significant tool: if the State Duma rejects the President’s nominee for Prime Minister three times, the President has the right to dissolve the Duma and call for new parliamentary elections, as per Article 111. This provision ensures that while the Duma has a say in the approval of the Prime Minister, the President retains a mechanism to overcome potential legislative gridlock.
The President’s control over the executive branch is further reinforced by Article 83 of the Constitution, which grants him the authority to appoint and dismiss the Chairman of the Government (the Prime Minister), Deputy Chairmen, and Federal Ministers, subject to Duma approval for the Prime Minister.
President Putin continues to have a significant influence on Russian politics even while the new government is taking shape. The formality of the resignation of the cabinet and the reorganisation that followed is a reflection of Putin’s political realities as well as the Russian Federation’s constitutional framework. The interaction between the President, the Prime Minister, and the State Duma will continue to influence Russia’s governance and course of policy as the process progresses.
By Cora Sulleyman

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