UPDATE: Kudrin says Russian govt change raises hope for reform

(Rewrites story)

MOSCOW, Jan 16 (PRIME) – Government reshuffle has awakened hope in many people that the new team will do more for reforms, head of the Audit Chamber Alexei Kudrin said at the Gaidar Forum on Thursday.

“Yesterday’s change of the government raised hope in many people that a new government team would manage to do more, achieve more… A wide range of factors speaks in favor of us having more hope and that we are to face a wide range of reforms. We have seen hope appearing today,” Kudrin said.

The official added that the changeability of the government and other leaders is a key element in building trust. According to Kudrin, Mikhail Mishustin, put forward as a candidate for the post of the prime minister, feels at ease with the situation in business, is able to balance the state and business interests and feels the nerve of digitalization.

Kudrin also told PRIME that the powers of the prime minister must be broadened during the changes in the constitution.

“Of course, the powers and status of the prime minister must be raised,” Kudrin said.

President Vladimir Putin told the Federal Assembly, both chambers of parliament, on Wednesday that powers of Russian parliament should be widened, including the right to appoint the government and the prime minister.

Kudrin said, “In this case, the role of parliament and its status grows a little,” adding that the prime minister becomes more dependent on parliament.

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