The Russian President formally put forward Mikhail Mishustin, the head of Russia's Federal Tax Service, to be the country's new prime minister, the Kremlin said. President Putin is understood to be planning to appoint new members of the Government himself, and has asked the outgoing government to continue working until they are in place. In power as either president or Prime Minister since 1999, Putin, 67, is due to step down in 2024 when his fourth presidential term ends. "It would increase the role and significance of the country's parliament ... of parliamentary parties, and the independence and responsibility of the Prime Minister." (Image: VIA REUTERS)Under the proposals, the Prime Minister would present parliament with candidates for the country's deputy Prime Ministers and government ministers, which parliament would also confirm.

Source: Daily Mirror January 15, 2020 16:30 UTC