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President Vladimir PutinMonday signed a presidential decree to approve the lineup of a newgovernment, but warned it of global economic uncertainties ahead. From the remarks of the newly-inaugurated presidentwho said Russia is entering a new stage of development, localanalysts believe the new government will maintain a policycontinuity and try to address old and new problems in the newperiod. NEW CABINET Russia's new government includes a prime minister,seven deputy prime ministers and 21 ministers. Over three-quartersof the cabinet members are new faces and only six ministers keeptheir portfolios. The posts of the first deputy prime minster havebeen halved to one. The previous Health and Social Development Ministryhas been divided into two ministries, with Maxim Topilin headingthe Labor and Social Development Ministry and Veronika Skvortsovathe Public Health Ministry. The new government also has two other newministries -- the Ministry for Far East Development and the OpenGovernment Contacts Ministry. The open government idea, proposed bynewly-appointed Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, aims to bridge thegap between policymakers and common people. Among deputy prime ministers, Igor Shuvalov,Putin's close ally, remains as the only first deputy primeminister, while other four deputies, Dmitry Kozak, AlexanderKhloponin, Vladislav Surkov and Dmitry Rogozin, also keep theirposts in the new government. A notable change is Arkady Dvorkovich, Medvedev'sformer economic aide, has secured a position as deputy primeminister in charge of the key energy sector and industry. Olga Mefodyeva, leading expert in the Center forPolitical Technologies, said Dvorkovich, an economist who favorsprivatization, might bring economic changes to the country. Among ministers, long-serving Sergei Lavrov andAnatoly Serdyukov retain their posts as foreign minister anddefense minister respectively. Viktor Ishayev serves as minister of thenewly-established Ministry of Far East Development and presidentialenvoy to the Far East Federal District, while Mikhail Abysov headsthe Open Government Contacts Ministry. After appointing the cabinet, Putin said thenewly-unveiled government faced challenges of developing Russia inthe uncertain global economic landscape. Though "a lot has been done in recent times," notall goals have been realized, and there is still more to be done,the president said. Eugeny Minchenko, director of the InternationalInstitute for Political Expertise, told Xinhua that a new wave ofglobal crises are inevitable and something must be done. Russia needs new blood to meet new global crisesand realize its dream of rejuvenation, analysts say, adding thatthe long-time stability in the country has created favorableconditions for the "dramatic change" in the government. "Today, Putin's main trump card is stability. Theauthorities have been enjoying 'stability for political freedoms',"Minchenko said. TASKS IN NEW PERIOD At the first government meeting, Medvedev listedseven short-term tasks for the government in the next six months toimplement Putin's roadmaps signed in the first presidentialdecrees. The seven priorities are: to push forward basicsocio-economic development programs, submit budget plans for thenext three years, raise the wages of workers from certain socialsectors, improve the investment climate, reform public services,privatize state companies and foster the "open government"mechanism. The two newly-founded ministries also reflectRussia's next steps, namely, to pay more attention to the Far Eastregion that links Russia with the rising Asia and answer calls forpolitical reforms. Taking note of the country's long-term economicefforts, Mefodyeva told Xinhua that the government would focus oninnovation. "Perhaps, the focus will be put on innovation,modernization, economic diversification, especially taking intoaccount the personal image of Medvedev who has been positioninghimself as an initiator of innovations," Mefodyeva said. Facing the tasks, analysts say the Medvedev-ledgovernment enjoys several favorable factors, such as steadyeconomic development, political stability and a better livelihoodfor its people. However, they also warn that the government wouldbe plagued by thorny issues that could not be solved overnight. First of all, Medvedev has to deal with anypossible conflicts between his new group and the groups that arealready existing, Minchenko said. "The question is, whether Medvedev will be able todivide the spheres of influence and resources with no conflictbetween his new group and the groups that are already existing.There are three powerful lobbyist projects hungry for statefinances: the creation of the Big Moscow, the development ofSiberia and Far East and the privatization program," Minchenkosaid. "Medvedev will be serving as prime minister so longas no conflict occurs," he predicted. Echoing Minchenko, Mefodyeva said Medvedev has toprove to the society and the elites that he is not temporary atthis work and is not a nominal head of government. "Medvedev has to find a balance between variousgroups of influence within the Russian elite ... and his primarychallenge is to do something to make himself not seen as a nominalprime minister," Mefodyeva. Besides, Mefodyeva noted that the new governmentwould face several problems similar to those facing the Putin-ledgovernment in 2008-2012, such as a poor investment climate,corruption and sluggish reforms on pension, health care andeducation. "Also, Medvedev will have to solve the problemslike reforming the taxation system and the pension policy," shesaid. Author: Editor:. I am an expert from custompaperbagprinting.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Custom Roll Labels , Childrens Book Printing, Paper Carrier Bags Printed,and more.
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