December 18, 2007	Tuesday	Zilhaj 7, 1428

Following is a breakdown of presidential and prime ministerial powers under the current constitutional rules.

PRESIDENT:

— Head of state

— Office in the Kremlin

— Commander-in-chief of armed forces — in charge of Russia’s nuclear weapons.

— Sets direction of both foreign and domestic policies

— Guarantor of the constitution, citizens’ rights

— Defender of Russia’s sovereignty

— Prime Minister reports directly to the president. President appoints and sacks PM and other federal ministers, subject to parliamentary approval

— All Russian spy services report directly to the president

— Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry, Emergency Ministry, Justice Ministry all report directly to President

— President controls the Presidential Administration, based in the Kremlin

— President has a right to chair cabinet meetings, but normally leaves this to the Prime Minister

— President controls and appoints the Security Council, which oversees Russia’s Defense and security policies

— President appoints central bank head

— President can call a state of emergency or impose military law if he believes threat to national security

PRIME MINISTER:

— Heads cabinet of ministers

— Office located in Moscow’s White House

— PM becomes acting president if the president “is not in the condition to fulfil his responsibilities”, according to Russia’s Constitution.

— Civilian ministries such as education and health report to PM

— Implements domestic and foreign policy as well as Presidential decrees, laws and international agreements

— Coordinates economic and fiscal policy, manages federal property

— Sets prices for gas, electricity and domestic transport

— Controls social policy, labour policy, migration and family policies.—Reuters