Statecraft

Putin consolidates power as Russian government resigns

Russia’s government has resigned to make way for major new constitutional changes in the country, according to the state news agency who cited Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Without giving much detail, the news agency said President Vladimir Putin had thanked Medvedev’s government for its work. The move has been reportedly made so Putin can carry out sweeping constitutional changes he spoke about at his annual address just hours beforehand.

“For my part, I also want to thank you for everything that was done at this stage of our joint work, I want to express satisfaction with the results that have been achieved,” the president told a meeting of ministers, according to TASS.

“Not everything was done, but everything never works out in full,” Putin said.