The Russian government has officially resigned its powers to the newly elected President, Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the corresponding order, as reported in the cabinet's Telegram channel.
This procedure is mandated by law. The order states, "In accordance with Article 116 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and Article 34 of the federal constitutional law 'On the Government of the Russian Federation,' the government of the Russian Federation resigns its powers to the newly elected President of the Russian Federation."
Additionally, the leadership of the Russian presidential administration has also resigned their powers. This is a standard process following the completion of Putin's previous term and the commencement of a new one. The cabinet of ministers formally resigns after the inauguration of the head of state, which occurred on May 7 at 12:00 Moscow time.
Former ministers and deputy prime ministers will continue their duties but will now hold the status of acting officials until the new government is formed.
Subsequently, Vladimir Putin issued a decree stipulating that ministers must continue their duties until the formation of the new cabinet.
Formation of the new cabinet
For the first time, the Russian government will be formed according to regulations outlined in the 2020 constitutional amendment. Previously, all cabinet members were appointed solely by presidential decrees: the prime minister, with consultation from the State Duma, and ministers and deputy prime ministers, without.
Under the new process, almost all cabinet members will be subject to pre-approval by parliament. Within two weeks of the inauguration, the president must submit the prime minister's nomination to the State Duma, which then has a week to consider it (typically, this process progresses faster). If approved by the deputies, the president appoints the prime minister to the post.
In the unlikely event that the nomination is rejected (a situation that has not occurred since 1998 and is not anticipated this time), the president will nominate a new candidate. If the proposed candidates are rejected three times by the Duma (a scenario that has never occurred in Russian Federation history), the president may independently appoint the head of the cabinet while retaining the right to dissolve the Duma and call for new elections.
Approval from the lower house is necessary for most federal ministers and deputy prime ministers. Their candidacies will be submitted to parliament not by the president but by the prime minister. If the State Duma approves the candidates, the president cannot refuse their appointment. If the proposed options are rejected three times, the president may independently select cabinet members from a list prepared by the government chairman.
However, the heads of the Interior Ministry, Emergencies Ministry, Defense Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and Ministry of Justice will be appointed by the head of state after consultations with the Federation Council.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Moscow-Live/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS