MOSCOW: Russia’s government resigned on Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin proposed a shake-up of the constitution, in a shock announcement that fuelled speculation about Putin’s future plans.

The resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev — a longtime Putin ally — came after the president used his annual state of the nation address to propose a package of constitutional reforms that would strengthen parliament’s role.

Speculation has swirled about changes to Russia’s political system that would allow Putin to stay on after 2024, when he is due to step down after a fourth Kremlin term. Some have suggested he could assume a new post or remain in a powerful behind-the-scenes role.

Putin quickly named Mikhail Mishustin, the low-profile head of the country’s tax service, to replace Medvedev.

Medvedev and Putin appeared alongside each other on national television a few hours after Putin’s address to say the government was stepping down.

Medvedev said the constitutional proposals would make significant changes to the country’s balance of power and so “the government in its current form has resigned”.

“All further decisions will be taken by the president,” he added.

Putin thanked Medvedev — who also served as Russian president for four years from 2008 — and suggested that he take on a role as deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, which Putin chairs.

‘Demand for change’

The changes Putin proposed on Wednesday would transfer more authority to parliament, including the power to choose the prime minister and senior cabinet members, instead of the president as under the current system.

Other changes would see the role of regional governors enhanced and residency requirements tightened for presidential candidates and other top officials.

Analysts said Putin was laying the groundwork for potential changes to a system in place since the early 1990s.

“Russia has entered its period of power transition ahead of schedule,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, head of the R.Politik analysis firm.

She said it appeared Putin was preparing for a powerful post-presidential role as head of the State Council, an advisory body whose powers would be expanded under the constitutional reforms.

Medvedev had “become toxic”, she said, and needed to make way for a new prime minister.

‘Leader for life’

Leading Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said he expected any vote on constitutional changes to be “fraudulent crap” and that Putin’s goal remained to be “sole leader for life”.

Russia last conducted a referendum in 1993 when it adopted the constitution under Putin’s predecessor Boris Yeltsin.

Putin has held a firm grip on the country since coming to power with Yeltsin’s resignation in 1999, staying on as prime minister when Medvedev took the presidency.

Re-elected to a six-year term in 2018, Putin has seen his approval ratings fall to some of their lowest levels, though still far above those of most Western leaders.

Recent polls put Putin’s rating at 68-70 per cent, up a few points from a year ago but down from a high of more than 80 per cent at the time of his last election.

Hit by Western sanctions over the 2014 annexation of Crimea, Russia’s economy has stagnated and most Russians have seen their disposable income fall.

The state of the nation address — delivered in the Manezh exhibition hall next to the Kremlin — is one of three big annual Putin events, along with a marathon press conference and live phone-in where he takes questions from the Russian public.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2020