Russian government resigns as Putin plans future

Addis Ababa, January 15, 2020 (FBC) -The government of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is to resign, hours after President Vladimir Putin announced plans in parliament to change the constitution.

President Putin has asked the PM to move to the post of deputy head of the National Security Council, reports say.

Medvedev said the president’s proposals would significantly change Russia’s balance of power.

“In this context… the government in its current form has resigned.”

The announcement came as a surprise, and in a statement President Putin thanked the government for what it had achieved.

President Putin’s fourth term in office is due to end in 2024, and under the existing constitution he would not be entitled to another term.