Why the entire Russian government has resigned
Shock move followed speech from Vladimir Putin in which he signalled plans to prolong his reign

The Russian government resigned yesterday just hours after Vladimir Putin suggested constitutional reforms that would allow him to extend his reign.
The 67-year-old first became president 20 years ago, with his fourth term in office due to expire in 2024.
The BBC says the government’s resignation, led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, “came as a surprise” - and triggered what The Guardian describes as a “sweeping reshuffle” of Russia’s leadership.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What is Putin proposing?
The drama began after a state of the nation address, in which Putin proposed a nationwide referendum on shifting power away from the president to parliament. He suggested amending the constitution to allow politicians to name prime ministers and cabinet members - appointments currently made by the president.
He also proposed an increased role for an advisory body called the State Council, amendments to the time limits on presidential terms and limits for the supremacy of international law.
Why did the government resign?
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Outgoing PM Medvedev, who has been replaced by technocrat Mikhail Mishustin, said: “These changes, when they are adopted... will introduce substantial changes not only to an entire range of articles of the constitution, but also to the entire balance of power, the power of the executive, the power of the legislature, the power of judiciary.
“In this context... the government in its current form has resigned.”
Accepting the resignations, Putin thanked members of the government for their work and added that “not everything worked out”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What is Putin playing at?
Putin appears to be paving the way to remain in power beyond 2024, perhaps in an alternative role. He has form in cynical manoeuvring to remain in charge: in 2008, he swapped places with the prime minister to dodge the constitutional provision that banned the same person from serving two consecutive terms as president.
The details of Putin’s plans are “murky”, but “in reality the details do not much matter” as “Russia is a dictatorship masquerading as a democracy”, says The Economist.
“Whether Mr Putin is president, prime minister, head of the State Council or honorary chairman of the National Bridge Association, makes a lot less difference than it would in a real democracy,” it says.
-
Four royal holiday hotspots
The Week Recommends Follow in the footsteps of royalty and experience the charm of some of their most popular getaways
-
The rise of the lost luggage auction
In the Spotlight Lost luggage hauls are attracting millions of views online
-
Stunning beaches in Scotland
The Week Recommends Scenic spots that wouldn't look out of place in the Caribbean
-
'It's hard to discern what it actually means'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summit
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'
-
Ukraine, European leaders to meet Trump after Putin talks
Speed Read Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week
-
Trump-Putin: would land swap deal end Ukraine war?
Today's Big Question Ukraine ready to make 'painful but acceptable' territorial concessions – but it still might not be enough for Vladimir Putin
-
Eighty years after Hiroshima: how close is nuclear conflict?
Today's Big Question Eight decades on from the first atomic bomb 'we have blundered into a new age of nuclear perils'
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Melania Trump's intervention on Ukraine
In The Spotlight The first lady has been linked to the president's U-turn on sending arms to Kyiv
-
Is the Trump-Putin bromance over... again?
Today's Big Question The US president has admitted he's 'p*ssed off' with his opposite number