In a bold demonstration of his power, Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday dismissed Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, the last major holdover from the Boris Yeltsin era, and his Cabinet less than three weeks before the presidential election.
In a statement broadcast on state television, Putin said the move "bears no relation to any assessment of the performance of the former composition of the government. It was dictated by my desire to once again delineate my position on the issue of what development course the country will take after March 14, 2004," the presidential election day.
However, speculation had percolated for months that Kasyanov was on his way out. Putin's four years in office have been characterized by growing power among aides from his circle, sidelining figures from Yeltsin's years.
Kasyanov had said that the intense government probe of the Yukos oil giant, including the jailing of its head Mikhail Khodorkovsky, had set a bad precedent for the country's recovering economy.
The Yukos probe is widely believed to have been Kremlin-driven and Kasyanov's criticisms likely irritated Putin and his aides.
The dismissal of the prime minister also means the dismissal of the rest of the government ministers, although any of them potentially could be reappointed.
Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko was named acting prime minister.
The announcement sent shares tumbling on the Russian stock market, with dips of 3 to 5 percent within minutes of Putin's statement, the Interfax news agency reported.
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