In a shock move Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin sacked his government led by...
In a shock move Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin sacked his government led by Yeltsin-era figure Mikhail Kasyanov in a bid to further stamp his authority ahead of his near-certain re-election next month.
In a live national television address, Putin said he was dismissing the entire government, a first during his presidency, and would choose a new prime minister before the March 14 presidential elections.
Kasyanov, 46, one of the last vestiges from the time of Putin's predecessor Boris Yeltsin, and who had served as head of government under Putin's four-year administration, was replaced temporarily by one of his deputies, Viktor Khristenko.
"I consider that citizens of Russia have the right and should know who will serve in the government if I am elected as president," Putin said.
The overwhelmingly popular Russian leader, who was elected to a four-year term in March 2000, is forecast to win a second mandate with 70 percent or more of the vote.
