NEWSLINK: Russia’s Putin sacks member of Medvedev’s cabinet

Russia’s Putin sacks member of Medvedev’s cabinet – Reuters – Gleb Bryanski – October 17, 2012 – http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/17/russia-putin-government-idUSL5E8LH6ZB20121017

Reuters covers a move by Russian President Vladimir Putin to remove a member of Dmitry Medvedev’s cabinet:

Putin signed a decree dismissing Regional Development Minister Oleg Govorun, one of two ministers he had publicly criticised last month, and replacing him with Igor Slyunyayev, a former governor of Kostroma region northeast of Moscow.

The Kremlin has dismissed suggestions that Putin was unhappy with the government, but his criticism of the two ministers added to speculation that he could dismiss Medvedev’s cabinet, particularly if economic conditions worsen.

It was the first change in the cabinet Putin unveiled two weeks after his May 7 inauguration to a new presidential term after consultations with Medvedev, the protege who served as president during Putin’s four-year stint as prime minister.

Reuters observes that, while Putin told Slyunyayev he had been recommended by Medvedev, the move serves as a reminder that Putin holds ultimate authority:

Russia’s paramount leader since his initial 2000-2008 presidency, Putin has sometimes used sackings to keep subordinates in line and maintain balance between rival Kremlin factions.
* * *
Analysts had said after the meeting that Putin was laying the groundwork for the potential dismissal of the government, especially if economic conditions worsened.

Click here to read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/17/russia-putin-government-idUSL5E8LH6ZB20121017