Russia: Vladimir Putin is restructuring his government

Russian leader Vladimir Putin is restructuring his government: The Kremlin announces that Putin has officially approved the personal details proposed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

One of the most noticeable changes: Anton Siluanov, finance minister since 2011, will also be one of several deputy prime ministers.

Andrei Nikitin is to resign from his position as transport minister and become deputy prime minister. Dmitry Yadrov, previously head of the Russian Federal Aviation Authority Rosaviatsiya, is to be Nikitin's successor as transport minister. All changes still require parliamentary approval.

The cabinet reshuffle comes at a time when Russia is seeking new sources of growth amid a rising budget deficit, higher taxes and relatively high interest rates.

New State Duma deputies were elected in September. The election was criticized as unfair and undemocratic due to the exclusion of a real opposition and a lack of freedom of the press and freedom of expression. The anti-war Yabloko party and other opposition forces were not allowed. Independent experts and opposition figures in exile accused the election management of manipulation and described the vote as a farce.

All parties represented in the Duma are considered loyal to the party and support Kremlin leader Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine. War veterans also entered parliament for his United Russia party. Despite the economic crisis, war fatigue and dissatisfaction with the situation in the country, voter turnout was more than 56 percent, the highest it has been in 15 years. For Putin, the result is a signal for the continuation of the full invasion of Ukraine.

The Kremlin ruler's party is further expanding its constitutional majority in parliament after four and a half years of war. That says little about the true attitude of the people, but it shows how firmly the regime is in the saddle.