Distribution of duties of former Russian deputy premier explained

(Interfax – May 8, 2013) The duties of Vladislav Surkov, who on 8 May was reported to have resigned as deputy prime minister and chief of staff of the government, will be carried out by another deputy prime minister and two first deputy heads of the government staff, Interfax news agency reported on 8 May.

“Until the appointment of a new vice-premier – head of the government staff,” deputy premier Arkadiy Dvorkovich will cover in the cabinet, overseeing the sphere of innovation and other aspects of the cabinet’s work previously dealt with by Surkov, while Aleksandra Levitskaya and Sergey Prikhodko will take on Surkov’s duties relating to the government staff, such as “preparations of government sittings”, Interfax reported quoting the cabinet’s press office.

RIA Novosti news agency added that assessing the effectiveness of the executive branch of power and the supervision of the preparation and implementation of government decisions also were among Surkov’s duties as deputy prime minister, as were the supervision of the public service and policy work in the spheres of culture, mass media and innovation, as well as relations with the courts, the prosecutor’s office and religious organizations.

Surkov resigned in the wake of a public row with the spokesman of the Investigations Committee, Vladimir Markin, and President Vladimir Putin’s criticism of the government’s performance.