Putin fires Kasyanov Government
Upping his stakes in the coming presidential poll the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has fired the Government of
the Prime Minister, Mikhail Kasyanov, today.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Viktor Khristenko, was named acting Prime Minister. Announcing the Cabinet resignation in
a live television broadcast, Mr. Putin said it was prompted by his desire to outline his vision for the course the
country should follow after the March 14 vote, rather than by displeasure with the outgoing government. "On the
whole I assess government performance as satisfactory," Mr. Putin said. "I believe the people of Russia have
the right to know (my) proposals for the makeup of the country's apex executive body if I am re-elected as
President of Russia," Mr. Putin said in his brief televised address. Mr. Kasyanov is the obvious target of the
government reshuffle. He is the only member of the Government who lost his job today, while the other ministers were
included in the caretaker Cabinet.
Analysts said by sacking Mr. Kasyanov, Mr. Putin has automatically put the blame for persisting economic problems on
the Prime Minister.
The Government has been criticised for failing to use oil export windfall to alleviate widespread poverty and promote
faster growth in manufacturing industries.
The RIA Novosti news agency quoted Kremlin sources as saying that the new Prime Minister will be appointed within a
week. The Communist candidate in the presidential election, Nikolai Kharitonov, said Mr. Putin's move was a public
relations stunt designed to raise voter turnout in the March 14 poll.
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