That would allow Mr Putin to appoint a new prime minister, potentially signalling whom he favours as a potential successor. Mr Putin nominated Mikhail Mishustin, 53-year-old head of the tax service, as the next prime minister. Opposition politician Leonid Volkov said it looked as though Mr Putin was digging in. “The president won’t be as dominating a figure [as Mr Putin].” said Mr Makarkin. Despite enjoying full-throated support from United Russia, Mr Putin has declined to take on a leading role in the party.

Source: The Irish Times January 15, 2020 15:33 UTC