The Kremlin has confirmed that Vyacheslav Volodin, the first deputy chief of President Vladimir Putin’s staff, is to become the new speaker of the Russian State Duma, the RBC news website reported Friday.
Sources close to the Kremlin told the Moscow Times on Wednesday that Volodin had been tipped for the move to Russia’s lower house of parliament.
The new role will formally be a promotion for Volodin, although he will lose some of the influence he once held over Russia’s domestic affairs.
Volodin’s replacement is yet to be announced, but the position is expected to be key in orchestrating the 2018 presidential elections.
The former Duma speaker, Sergei Naryshkin, have been asked to head Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).
The government reshuffle follows a decisive victory for United
Russia in Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
The new Duma’s first session is preliminary scheduled for Oct. 5-7.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
