Meanwhile, an unknown person, an outsider may be appointed the new prime minister, says the Vedomosti newspaper.

Quoting a source in the presidential administration, the newspaper says Mr. Kasyanov's successor is already known. However, the source refused to give a name, saying only that this figure has not been discussed by the press as a possible candidate.

According to the Russian Constitution, the President must nominate a new prime minister within two weeks. Officials in the presidential administration think it will happen in the next few days. "A person who will be named by Putin now and who will be appointed Prime Minister before March 14, will in fact receive carte blanche to form the government," the source said. In his opinion, Mr. Putin has several months to form the new Cabinet, at the same time attracting new attention to the presidential elections.

In any event, the new premier will work with an entirely different government, the Vedomosti concludes. The new prime minister would have to "submit proposals on the new structure of the federal executive branch" within a week after his appointment, Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.