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How the new Russian government is formed

The new cabinet of ministers is formed in two stages

TASS-FACTBOX. On May 7, 2018, Vladimir Putin took the oath of office for his fourth term as President of the Russian Federation and the government headed by the prime minister stepped down as required by Article 35 of the federal constitutional law "On the Government of the Russian Federation" dated December 17, 1997.

The new cabinet of ministers is formed in two stages as stipulated by Articles 111 and 112 of the Russian constitution. First, the president of the Russian Federation appoints the prime minister approved by the State Duma (the majority of votes of the constitutional number of deputies, meaning no less than 226 people). Second, the head of the government lays out his proposals regarding the structure and composition of the cabinet to head of the state within a week.

PM’s confirmation

The president submits his proposals on the candidacy of a new head of government no later than two weeks after the inauguration or after the resignation of the previous government. If the candidacy is submitted for a second time (after being turned down), the period of submission is reduced to one week.

The State Duma (lower house of parliament) has one week to discuss the candidacy offered by the president. Based on the Duma’s regulations, the head of the state or presidential plenipotentiary have to officially present the candidate to the PM post.

The candidate presents a plan on key trajectories of action for the future government and answers questions by MPs (for a period of at least 30 minutes).

After that, representatives of the Duma’s factions take a stand for or against the candidate and hold a vote.

Government formation

The new head of government presents proposals on the structure of federal executive bodies no later than a week after his appointment. The structure is confirmed by a decree of the president of the Russian Federation, and in conformity with it, the prime minister offers a list of candidates to the posts of deputy prime ministers and federal ministers to head of the state. If approved, the president accepts them at respective posts.

Articles 111 and 112 of the constitution of the Russian Federation envisions the maximum period for the formation of the new government at one month.