Vladimir Putin names head of tax service Mikhail Mishustin as Russia's new prime minister

President Vladimir Putin has named Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin as Russia's new prime minister, the Kremlin said Wednesday. Keeping a low profile, the 53-year-old Mishustin has worked in the government since 1998 while serving as the head of the Federal Tax Service since 2010.

The Russian leader made the appointment after he engineered a surprise shakeup of Russia's leadership and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev submitted his resignation earlier in the day. Putin proposed changes to the constitution that could keep him in power well past the end of his term in 2024. He emphasized that constitutional changes must be put to a vote in a nationwide referendum.

READ | Russia Govt Resigns: Why Vladimir Putin May Stay In Power For Years, President Or Not

Putin announces new PM

Medvedev resigned his post after Putin announced the proposed constitutional amendments. Putin kept his longtime ally in the Kremlin's leadership structure, appointing him to the newly created post of deputy head of the presidential Security Council. The shakeup sent shock waves through Russia's political elites who were left pondering what Putin's intentions were and speculating about future Cabinet appointments.

Medvedev has been prime minister for nearly eight years. After Putin's first two terms ended in 2008, Medvedev served as a placeholder president from 2008 to 2012 and appointed his mentor as prime minister, although Putin continued to wield power. Under Medvedev, the constitution was amended to lengthen the president's term from four years to six.

Medvedev said in televised comments that he needed to resign in light of Putin's proposed changes in government. Putin suggested amending the constitution to allow lawmakers to name prime ministers and Cabinet members. The president currently holds the authority to make those appointments.

READ | Putin Seeks To Boost Powers Of Parliament, Cabinet

“It will increase the role of parliament and parliamentary parties, powers and independence of the prime minister and all Cabinet members," Putin told an audience of top officials and lawmakers.

At the same time, Putin argued that Russia would not remain stable if it were governed under a parliamentary system. The president should retain the right to dismiss the prime minister and Cabinet ministers, to name top defense and security officials, and to be in charge of the Russian military and law enforcement agencies, he said.

Putin has been in power longer than any other Russian or Soviet leader since Josef Stalin, who led from 1924 until his death in 1953. He will have to step down in 2024 after his term ends under the current law, which limits the president to two consecutive terms.

READ | Entire Russian Government Resigns; Putin Asks Ministers To Function In Caretaker Capacity

READ | PM Modi, Putin Discuss Situation In Persian Gulf, Libya Over Phone Call

(with inputs from agencies)

(image: AP)