Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced that the government is resigning.
The shock statement came shortly after President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual state-of-the-nation address.
Accepting the resignation, Putin asked the ministers to function as a caretaker government until a new one is formed.
Before announcing the resignation of the cabinet, Medvedev met with Putin to discuss his state-of-the-nation address, which took place earlier Wednesday, the Kremlin’s press office said.
In his address, Putin proposed several amendments to the constitution.
Medvedev explained that this cabinet is resigning in accordance with the Article 117 of the Russian Constitution, which says that the government can offer its resignation to the president, who, in turn, can either accept or reject it.
“In this context, it is obvious that, as the government, we must provide the president with a capability to make all decisions,” which are required to implement the proposed plan, Medvedev said.
Putin quickly nominated Mikhail Mishustin – the long-serving head of Russia’s tax service and seen as a technocrat – to form a new government.
Lawmakers were due to meet Thursday to begin reviewing his candidacy.
Putin also said that he plans to create a position of the deputy secretary of Russia’s security council, and offer it to Medvedev.
Medvedev became prime minister in 2012, after serving four years as president.
He is also the head of the ruling United Russia party.
Additional reporting by RT and agencies.
