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Russia's Finance Minister Kudrin resigns after row
23:55 - 26.09.11
Alexei Kudrin resigned on Monday as Russia's finance minister and
deputy prime minister after a dispute with President Dmitry Medvedev,
the RIA Novosti reported.
The president has already signed Kudrin's resignation request, the
presidential spokeswoman said.
Medvedev told Kudrin earlier in the day that he should resign after
Kudrin said he would decline a job in a future Russian government that
Medvedev is likely to head.
Kudrin cited disagreements with the president on economic policies, in
particular, on considerable defense expenditures, as the reason.
President Medvedev said on Saturday at a United Russia party congress
that he believed Prime Minister Vladimir Putin should stand in March
presidential elections.
Medvedev will head United Russia's ticket at December's polls and is
likely to be named prime minister in the event of Putin's return to
the Kremlin.
Kudrin, 50, has served as finance minister since 2000, during which
time the Russian government has paid off most of its substantial
foreign debt and created oil wealth funds to soften the blow of the
global slump.
Kudrin said earlier in the day that before making a decision on
whether to resign, he would consult with Putin.
"You may consult with anyone, including the prime minister," Medvedev
replied, "but I am still the president and such decisions are taken by
me."
He ordered Kudrin to make a decision on his resignation "today,"
adding: "Nobody has revoked discipline and subordination in the
government."
Analysts said that Kudrin's possible resignation could see a negative
response from investors, who see him as a guarantor of the country's
financial stability.
Some experts have also suggested that Kudrin's resignation will weaken
Russia's fiscal policies.
"Kudrin has always been a staunch supporter of conservative fiscal
policies," Sergei Karykhalin, an analyst on macroeconomic policies at
TKB Capital investment firm, said.
"He pioneered the Stabilization Fund and his departure from the
government could lead to a more risky fiscal policy if his successor
is less cautious and plays less independent role in decision-making."
Mikhail Zadornov, who served as Russia's finance minister in
1997-1999, described Kudrin's resignation as very "regretful" and
"untimely."
"Kudrin was one of the most professional people in the government," he
said. "The country will be left without its finance minister at a time
when the world is facing an [economic] crisis, and half a year before
presidential elections. This is unlikely to please anyone."
Tert.am
From: A. Papazian
23:55 - 26.09.11
Alexei Kudrin resigned on Monday as Russia's finance minister and
deputy prime minister after a dispute with President Dmitry Medvedev,
the RIA Novosti reported.
The president has already signed Kudrin's resignation request, the
presidential spokeswoman said.
Medvedev told Kudrin earlier in the day that he should resign after
Kudrin said he would decline a job in a future Russian government that
Medvedev is likely to head.
Kudrin cited disagreements with the president on economic policies, in
particular, on considerable defense expenditures, as the reason.
President Medvedev said on Saturday at a United Russia party congress
that he believed Prime Minister Vladimir Putin should stand in March
presidential elections.
Medvedev will head United Russia's ticket at December's polls and is
likely to be named prime minister in the event of Putin's return to
the Kremlin.
Kudrin, 50, has served as finance minister since 2000, during which
time the Russian government has paid off most of its substantial
foreign debt and created oil wealth funds to soften the blow of the
global slump.
Kudrin said earlier in the day that before making a decision on
whether to resign, he would consult with Putin.
"You may consult with anyone, including the prime minister," Medvedev
replied, "but I am still the president and such decisions are taken by
me."
He ordered Kudrin to make a decision on his resignation "today,"
adding: "Nobody has revoked discipline and subordination in the
government."
Analysts said that Kudrin's possible resignation could see a negative
response from investors, who see him as a guarantor of the country's
financial stability.
Some experts have also suggested that Kudrin's resignation will weaken
Russia's fiscal policies.
"Kudrin has always been a staunch supporter of conservative fiscal
policies," Sergei Karykhalin, an analyst on macroeconomic policies at
TKB Capital investment firm, said.
"He pioneered the Stabilization Fund and his departure from the
government could lead to a more risky fiscal policy if his successor
is less cautious and plays less independent role in decision-making."
Mikhail Zadornov, who served as Russia's finance minister in
1997-1999, described Kudrin's resignation as very "regretful" and
"untimely."
"Kudrin was one of the most professional people in the government," he
said. "The country will be left without its finance minister at a time
when the world is facing an [economic] crisis, and half a year before
presidential elections. This is unlikely to please anyone."
Tert.am
From: A. Papazian