Finance Minister Kudrin quits at president's urging (article updated)

During a meeting of the Presidential Commission on Modernization in the town of  Dimitrovgrad in Central Russia, President Dmitry Medvedev stressed that everyone who does not agree with his politics is free to resign.

Then Medvedev turned his attention to personally to Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, who had made earlier made disparaging remarks about the president.

Medvedev: "If you think your views on Russia's economic agenda differ from mine as president, you can resign. But you have to answer right here and now. Are you going to resign?"

Kudrin said he would have to discuss the situation with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin first.

Kudrin:"My opinions do differ from yours, but I'll only take such a decision after I've talked to the prime minister."

Medvedev demanded that the issue be settled before the end of the day.

Medvedev: "You can talk to whoever you want, including the prime minister, but as long as I'm the president, I make these decisions. You'll have to decide very quickly and give me an answer today. Either you reconsider the differences you're talking about or, if these differences do exist, I see no alternative than for you to resign. Although this would be an unpleasant outcome."

The president said making that loud public announcement over the workings of the government, “looks improper and cannot be approved of” due to the violation of chain of command.

“Nobody abolished discipline and subordination in the government,” Medvedev said. The fact the finance minister’s statements were voiced while he was in the United States was particularly offensive, he added.

Kudrin’s controversial statement, made to journalists in Washington, DC, came after the news broke Saturday of plans for a reshuffle in the Russian leadership. Vladimir Putin announced his intention to run for the presidency in the upcoming election. Dmitry Medvedev will lead the ruling party’s electoral list at the parliamentary elections in December; he also said he would be glad to work as chair of the cabinet under President Putin.

“I don’t see myself in the new government,” Kudrin said. “The thing is not only that nobody offered me the position, but also I believe the differences I have won’t allow me join this government.”

On the same day Kudrin told RT television that he is not sure about his future and that there are many ways he can continue working for the good of Russia.

"I would like to say my future is not yet known. I said I was ready to work in any capacity if it helps in promoting reforms – those can be quite different, and not only in government. Concerning reforms, it’s first and foremost about restructuring, ranging from the pension system, privatization, expanding competition in our economy, regulating the tariffs and liberalization of quite a number of industries where the state still prevails in price regulation,” he said.

Originally published at rt.com.

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Russian experts on Kudrin's resignation:

Irina Yasina, economist

The disputes between [Finance Minister Alexei] Kudrin and President [Dmitry] Medvedev are well known, at least to experts. Military expenses were the key issue. One may question Kudrin’s judgment in any other sphere, but what he did to create financial stability and fight financial turmoil is due the highest respect. And experts freely to admit it. Putin also knows it well, and it seems to me that as far as economics and finances are concerned, Putin defers to Kudrin’s judgment, not the opposite way.

Mikhail Kasyanov, former prime minister

Kudrin is the only person within Russian government who manages to connect the western way of reasonable politics and the way things are done in Russia. So he is, of course, crucial for the prime minister, and Putin will never let him go. I feel convinced that all this conflict will fade as time passes. And Kudrin will have to make his apologies to Medvedev in one way or another. Not directly, but that’s the message.

Konstantin von Eggert, political observer

Kudrin is one of these people who are approved as professionals by the parliament without any doubt. I think he could find a job for himself (there) in any case or they could find a job for him. Another thing is interesting. Kudrin clearly indicated that he is one of Putin’s team. In fact, he was said to the prime minister: “Vladimir Vladimirovich, just tell them to leave me alone.” And here’s the big problem for Putin: I think the former president (and, most probably, president-to-be) doesn’t like this kind of thing. He doesn’t like to argue in public. People behaving like this soon fall out of favor.

Alfred Koch, former deputy prime minister

I think there will be a short-term negative reaction to Kudrin’s resignation, but in the long-term, the consequence of him being fired won’t influence Russia’s investment climate. The common trend [in Russian economy] is negative by itself and it will continue to worsen. The market will soon forget the news about Kudrin’s resignation, it will be just another negative episode, but won’t cause any sharp curves or downslides.

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