05 THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020 world

Russian govt resigns after Putin calls for reforms

Speculation has swirled• about changes to ’s political system that would allow Putin to stay on after 2024

Putin quickly named Mikhail• Mishustin to replace Medvedev

Medvedev also served as• Russian president for four years from 2008

AFP | ‘All further decisions will be taken by the president,’ said Medvedev

ussia’s government re- signed yesterday after RPresident Vladimir Pu- tin proposed a shake-up of the constitution, in a shock an - ments tightened for presiden- tion in 1999, staying on as prime nouncement that fuelled spec- tial candidates and other top minister when Medvedev took ulation about Putin’s future officials. the presidency. plans. “Today in our society there is a Today in our Re-elected to a six-year term The resignation of Prime Min- clear demand for change,” Putin society there is a in 2018, Putin has seen his ap- ister -- a long- said in his address. “People want clear demand for proval ratings fall to some of time Putin ally -- came after the development, they are striving to change. People their lowest levels, though still president used his annual state move forward in their careers, want development, far above those of most Western of the nation address to pro - in their education, in becoming they are striving leaders. pose a package of constitutional prosperous.” to move forward Recent polls put Putin’s rating reforms that would strengthen The package of reforms would at 68-70 percent, up a few points parliament’s role. be put to a national vote, he said, in their careers, in from a year ago but down from Speculation has swirled about without specifying when. their education, in a high of more than 80 percent changes to Russia’s political sys- “We will be able to build a becoming prosperous at the time of his last election. tem that would allow Putin to strong prosperous Russia only PUTIN SAID IN HIS ADDRESS Hit by Western sanctions over stay on after 2024, when he is on the basis of respect for public the 2014 annexation of Crimea, due to step down after a fourth opinion,” the 67-year-old leader Russia’s economy has stagnated Kremlin term. said. and most Russians have seen Some have suggested he could Analysts said Putin was laying ic”, she said, and needed to make their disposable income fall. assume a new post or remain in the groundwork for potential way for a new prime minister. Frustration boiled over last a powerful behind-the-scenes Leading Kremlin critic reacted to the news by saying that Putin’s changes to a system in place summer, with thousands taking role. goal was to be ‘sole leader for life’ since the early 1990s. ‘Leader for life’ to the streets of Moscow to pro- Putin quickly named Mikhail ‘Demand for change’ “Russia has entered its peri- Leading Kremlin critic Alexei test the exclusion of opposition Mishustin, the low-profile head “the government in its current od of power transition ahead of Navalny said he expected any candidates from local elections, of the country’s tax service, to form has resigned”. The changes Putin proposed schedule,” said Tatiana Stano- vote on constitutional changes leading to wide-scale arrests and replace Medvedev. “All further decisions will be yesterday would transfer more vaya, head of the R.Politik anal- to be “fraudulent crap” and that long jail terms for a number of Medvedev and Putin appeared taken by the president,” he add- authority to parliament, in - ysis firm. Putin’s goal remained to be “sole demonstrators. alongside each other on national ed. cluding the power to choose She said it appeared Putin leader for life”. The state of the nation address television a few hours after Pu- Putin thanked Medvedev -- the prime minister and senior was preparing for a powerful Russia last conducted a ref- -- delivered in the Manezh exhi- tin’s address to say the govern- who also served as Russian pres- cabinet members, instead of the post-presidential role as head erendum in 1993 when it adopt- bition hall next to the Kremlin ment was stepping down. ident for four years from 2008 president as under the current of the , an advisory ed the constitution under Putin’s -- is one of three big annual Pu- Medvedev said the constitu- -- and suggested that he take on system. body whose powers would be predecessor . tin events, along with a mara- tional proposals would make a role as deputy head of Russia’s Other changes would see the expanded under the constitu- Putin has held a firm grip on thon press conference and live significant changes to the coun- Security Council, which Putin role of regional governors en- tional reforms. the country since coming to phone-in where he takes ques- try’s balance of power and so chairs. hanced and residency require- Medvedev had “become tox- power with Yeltsin’s resigna- tions from the Russian public. Australian student says N. Korea forced him to admit spying Seoul on grounds of “humanitarian While in Pyongyang he post- n Australian student arrest- forbearance”. ed apolitical content on social Aed for spying and expelled Writing in South Korean ac- media about life in one of the from North Korea last year said ademic journal Monthly North world’s most secretive nations, he was forced to write a false Korea, Sigley said he was forced focussing on everyday Pyong- confession while held incom- to admit guilt during an “un - yang -- everything from the city’s municado. pleasant” nine-day interrogation dining scene to North Korean Alek Sigley was studying mod- “completely cut off from the out- app reviews. ern Korean literature at Kim Il side world”. But he said his experience in Sung University in Pyongyang “From my point of view, I the capital was that of an “out- when he went missing in June, was not guilty but was falsely sider” in a country “stricken sparking international alarm. accused by the authorities,” he with xenophobia”. Canberra has no diplomat- said. “They continuously made “It is practically impossible ic representation in Pyongyang me write ‘apologies’ as if they to make local friends,” he says, and turned to Sweden, the pro- wanted to teach me a lesson.” though he was “on a few occa- tecting power for its citizens. He did not accuse authorities sions” able to see the “human Stockholm sent an envoy and of physically mistreating him. side” of those around him. Sigley was released after nine His arrest was a “turning point “Those were the most days in detention -- a much in my life”, he said, describing it pleasant and meaningful shorter period than some for- as being “kidnapped” by North moments.” eigners arrested in the authori- Korea’s secret police. In 2017 University of Virginia tarian North. Sigley speaks fluent Korean student Otto Warmbier, who had Sigley had written articles for and was already familiar with been imprisoned during a tour a number of publications while the North, organising tours to of North Korea and fell into a in Pyongyang and North Korean the isolated country and mar- coma while in detention, died authorities accused him of espi- rying his Japanese wife there days after arriving back in the onage, saying they released him Alek Sigley says he was forced to sign a false confession while held in North Korea in 2018. United States.