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21 Sep, 2007 13:29

New Russian Cabinet to be approved

Russia's new Prime Minister, Viktor Zubkov has presented his proposals on the make-up of his new cabinet to the president, with some new names expected to be in the shaken-up government.

While some of the ministers will have to leave the Government, analysts suggest the core of the Cabinet is most likely to remain the same.

Under Russian law the Cabinet should be presented within seven days from the appointment of the Prime Minister. However, there is no strict term for the President to respond, but speaking in Sochi Vladimir Putin said the decision will be made soon.

Mr Zubkov’s appointment came as a surprise to most Russians. One poll has indicated that 85% of Russians hadn't heard of him before.

On Thursday, the new Prime Minister held a meeting with the acting Cabinet and openly criticised a number of ministers for their poor performance.
 
The meeting showed him as a tough boss – a person with a commanding voice who does not take excuses easily.
 
One of the most prominent reasons for criticism was the handling of the Sakhalin situation in August and being too slow in delivering the financial aid to the earthquake-struck area.
 
It took more than a month for the first portion of financial aid, about 800 MLN roubles, to finally reach the island.
 
RT political commentator Peter Lavelle supposes those dealing with social issues will have more problems with staying in office than others.
 
“I think that anyone who deals directly with people, with social services, is going to have a lot of problems. This is one of the reasons of shaking up the government. There is an election soon and people want to see the government working for them,” he said.

The Prime Minister also discussed with the acting Cabinet problems related to the social-economic progress of the Kamchatka region. He says he will personally oversee work on the area’s development.
 
President Putin has recently criticised the government for failing to fulfill his instructions, and among them – the building of a gas pipeline in Kamchatka.

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