Andrey Vasilevsky. Candidate

Candidate
Andrey Vasilevsky

Publication date: February 25, 2004

Let me express - at least “in the order of delirium” - a completely fantastic, but, in my opinion, a very beautiful version of the further development of events. In the coming days, President Vladimir Putin will propose a candidate for the post of head of government for consideration by the State Duma. Namely... Vladimir Putin.

Without any problems receiving votes from United Russia, which controls the Duma, Vladimir Putin directly heads the government, thereby establishing the unity of executive power in the country.

This decision eliminates the obvious awkwardness in the position of the prime minister, when the head of government is forced to work with ministers not appointed by him.

The problem of an “indecisive” prime minister and an “unambitious” government is removed, as well as the problem of turning a “technical” prime minister into a “political” one.

The hypothetical/real confrontation between the government and the presidential administration is eliminated.

The second person in the state becomes the Speaker of the State Duma Boris Gryzlov , the president's man.

In some - mocking - sense, "United Russia" gets a "party" prime minister: although Putin is not formally the leader/member of this party, "United Russia" is perceived by everyone without exception as the party of the president, and "United Russia" itself considers Putin as its president.

After March 14, when the government automatically resigns, Vladimir Putin’s candidacy will again be reconfirmed for the post of prime minister without any problems - thanks to the same United Russia.

Putin - as president and prime minister - receives a dual mandate for any further steps. (If there is no third presidential term , then after March 14 the notorious rating loses all meaning.)

President Putin holds the position of head of government throughout his second presidential term. ( Amendments to the Constitution are not excluded - that the president heads the government directly, ex officio.)

One question remains: does he need it?

What if it’s necessary?