Russia: Vladimir Putin rebuilds his government

Russia’s ruler Vladimir Putin is rebuilding his government: The Kremlin says that Putin has approved the personal details officially proposed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

One of the most striking changes: Anton Siluanov, Minister of Finance since 2011, also becomes one of several deputy prime ministers.

Andrei Nikitin is to resign from his office as Minister of Transport and become Deputy Prime Minister. Dmitry Yadrov, previously head of the Russian Federal Aviation Authority Rosaviatsia, is to succeed Nikitin as Minister of Transport. All amendments must still be approved by Parliament.

The cabinet reshuffle comes at a time when Russia is looking for new sources of growth in the face of a rising budget deficit, higher taxes and relatively high interest rates.

In September, the deputies of the State Duma were newly elected. The election was criticised as unfair and undemocratic because of the exclusion of a real opposition and lack of freedom of the press and freedom of expression. The anti-war party Jabloko and other opposition forces were not allowed. Independent experts and opposition members in exile accused the election leadership of manipulation and called the vote a farce.

All parties represented in the Duma are considered faithful to the line and support the war of aggression by Kremlin chief Putin against Ukraine. For his party United Russia, war veterans also moved into parliament. Despite the economic crisis, war fatigue and dissatisfaction with the situation in the country, the voter turnout was more than 56 percent and thus higher than in 15 years. For Putin, the result is seen as a signal for the continuation of the full invasion of Ukraine.

The party of the Kremlin ruler is further expanding its constitutional majority in parliament after four and a half years of war. This says little about the true attitude of the people, but it shows how tightly the regime sits in the saddle. Read more about this here.