JRL NEWSWATCH: “Putin Ushers In New Prime Minister, Signaling Bid to Boost Economic Legacy” – Wall Street Journal/ Thomas Grove, Georgi Kantchev
Russia’s parliament approves Mikhail Mishustin as new prime minister, a day after government’s resignation
“Russian lawmakers approved … Putin’s proposed candidate as prime minister Thursday … in a tightly choreographed transition that could set the stage for … Putin to retain a grip on power after his term ends. The vote came a day after … Putin proposed sweeping constitutional changes and … Medvedev[] announced his and his cabinet’s resignation. … signal[ing] … Putin’s desire to turn around Russia’s sluggish economy and cement his legacy …. Mikhail Mishustin … little-known head of Russia’s tax service who was nominated by … Putin[] as … Medvedev’s successor … underscor[ing] his preference for … technocrats who have proven themselves effective, but who pose little threat and have a limited power base of their own. …”