Jan22,2020:Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed a new government on Tuesday, less than a week after he announced sweeping constitutional reforms and his longtime prime minister resigned.
Putin, who said there was a “demand for change” in his announcements last week, kept on key allies.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu — both staunch Putin supporters and major policy figures — held on to their positions, as well as the finance and energy ministers, Anton Siluanov and Alexander Novak.
But he replaced several officials in charge of social affairs, including the ministers of health, education, labour and economic development.
Meeting the cabinet of new Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin for the first time, Putin said its most important task was to “increase the welfare of our citizens and strengthen our state”.
“I sincerely wish you success… it is in the interests of the entire country,” Putin said during a televised meeting.
Mishustin said the cabinet would meet right away with a focus on boosting economic growth and “improving people’s living standards”.
