Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov quit, saying President Vladimir Putin needs ``more freedom'' to guide parliamentary and presidential elections. The resignation forces the formation of a new government.

Fradkov submitted his resignation during a televised meeting in the Kremlin, telling Putin he wanted to give the president more ``freedom of choice'' in the upcoming elections.

MOSCOW. Sept 12 (Interfax) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov has explained his decision to tender his resignation on Wednesday was motivated by the upcoming important political events in Russia.
"The country is approaching important political events - elections to the State Duma and presidential elections are ahead. The government is integrated in this process and, it seems to me, it is working quite well and is trying to do its best, but, understanding political processes, I would like you to have full freedom in making decisions, including those concerning appointments," he told President Vladimir
Putin.
"I think it would be more appropriate for me to propose vacating the prime ministerial position so that you have no restrictions in making decisions on building a power structure in light of the upcoming political events," Fradkov said.
"I would like to thank you for entrusting me with working as prime minister for more than three and a half years and, enjoying your support, to ask you to accept my resignation now," Fradkov said.
Putin replied: "I completely agree with your judgments. Indeed, the government under your guidance has done a huge amount of work and achieved substantial positive results in the past few years." "GDP has been growing at a substantial rate over these years, and the volume of economic development has been expanding, inflation has been declining, and the incomes of our citizens have been rising," Putin said.

va la
From "Interfax"


... But here on "Yahoo!" … a different story!

Saying “Leader and Father” President Putin was the one, who dissolved the Government!

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin dissolved Russia's government Wednesday in a major political shakeup ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections, the Kremlin said.

The dissolution is expected to result in a new prime minister, who will be seen as Putin's choice to succeed him after he steps down next spring.

The newspaper Vedomosti, citing unidentified Kremlin officials, reported that Sergei Ivanov, a first deputy prime minister and a leading contender to succeed Putin, could be appointed to replace Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov.

Another first deputy prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, who is a top executive at natural gas monopoly OAO Gazprom, is considered the other leading contender.



Will Angela (not Landsbury) Merkel Save us now?



... I don't think so!


... I would rather trust this Guy!