In a major political development ahead of the change of guard in Russia, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov resigned and the government was dissolved on Wednesday, paving the way for President Vladimir Putin to handpick his successor when he steps down next year.
The government's dissolution would lead to the appointment of a new head of the Cabinet, who will be seen as Putin's choice to succeed him.
"The dissolution of the Cabinet was needed due to upcoming political events (the crucial Parliamentary and Presidential elections), and the need to give the President freedom in making decisions, including changes in personnel," Fradkov, who resigned along with his Cabinet, said during a meeting with Putin.
The Parliamentary elections are scheduled for December 2, followed some three months later by Presidential elections.
Putin readily accepted the resignation of Fradkov along with his entire Cabinet and asked him to continue till a new Prime Minister is appointed by him and approved by the State
Duma, the lower house of Parliament. That must happen by September 26.
Putin had appointed Fradkov as Prime Minister in 2004, before seeking re-election for the second consecutive term.
"The country is nearing Parliamentary elections to be followed by Presidential elections... We all need to think together about building the power and governing structure so that they can better meet the needs of the pre-election period, and prepare the country for the time after parliamentary and presidential elections in March 2008," Putin
observed thanking Fradkov for his services.
Citing a source close to the Kremlin, leading business daily 'Vedomosti' said first deputy prime minister Sergei Ivanov would be appointed as the new premier. As per the scheme of power change in the Kremlin adopted under ex-President Boris Yeltsin in 1999, Putin was also first appointed prime minister and later contested the presidential polls.
According to Vedomosti, the Kremlin has shortlisted Ivanov as the successor of Putin, who will step down at the end of his second term, maximum allowed under the Russian Constitution.