PM Medvedev Announces Resignation of Russian Gov't Following Putin's Address to Parliament

PM Medvedev Announces Resignation of Russian Gov't Following Putin's Address to Parliament

RUSSIA

16:33 15.01.2020(updated 16:53 15.01.2020)Get short URL

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The Russian president addressed Russian lawmakers, ministers and other high-ranking officials on Wednesday, with this year's address focusing mostly on domestic politics including social policy and the economy.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced that the country's government will be resigning.

Speaking to President Vladimir Putin in a television address, Medvedev said that the president's Wednesday speech to the Federal Assembly outlined a number of "fundamental changes" to Russia's constitution.

"These changes, when they are adopted, and in all likelihood this would be done following discussions, as was said, will make significant changes not only to a number of articles of the Constitution, but also to the balance of power as a whole," Medvedev said.

The changes will apply to "the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch," the prime minister continued.

"In this context, it's obvious that we, as the government of the Russian Federation, should provide the president of our country with the opportunity to make all the decisions necessary for this. And in these circumstances, I believe that it's correct that, in accordance with Article 117 of the Constitution, the Russian government in its current composition should resign," Medvedev said.

Putin thanked Medvedev for his work, and urged the prime minister and the cabinet to remain at their posts until a new government could be formed.

Following the formation of the new government, Medvedev is expected to take up the new position of deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, a consultative body which advises the president on national security affairs. Medvedev agreed to take up the new role.